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August 27, 2009

Hebert coasts to PGA title

He wins 4th title by 13 shots

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

EAST LANSING -- This one came easy.

Scott Hebert, shooting a final round 8-under-par 64 Wednesday, claimed his fourth consecutive Michigan PGA Championship by coasting to a 13-stroke victory in the 54-hole tournament.

The 40-year-old professional at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa entered the final round with a 5-shot lead. He shot 2-under on the front nine and 6-under 30 on the back nine. His 64 was a new competitive course record at Eagle Eye.

"That's nice," he said about the record. "But I'm just pleased to have ended up on top."

Hebert is the first golfer to win the tournament four straight years since its inception in 1922.

"I hit it well all three days," he said. "I switched to a new putter just prior to coming here. As I got to know it a little more, I felt more comfortable with it and made a few more (putts)."

Hebert admitted he played "cautiously" on the front nine trying to protect his lead.

"When you start with a big lead like that the last thing you want is to lose it going for pins," he said. "Once it looked like things were in hand (on the back nine), I relaxed and played more aggressively."

Hebert birdied four consecutive holes on the back nine. By then, he had built an insurmountable lead and the pressure was off.

"You don't get that very often in golf tournaments where you can just have some fun and play golf," he said.

Jeff Gniewek of Knollwood Country Club shot a final-round 71 to finish second at 212. Dave Kendall of Kendall Academy of Golf and Joe Pollack from Boulder Creek Golf Club tied for third at 215.

Hebert claimed the $7,000 winner's share of the $55,000 purse.

Hebert's three previous victories in the state PGA were closely contested, including one that went to a playoff.

"I would have never bet on this (13-shot win)," he said. "I've been hitting it pretty good for while. I hit it pretty good at the PGA Championship, but didn't make many putts and that was the premise to change the putter. It seems to be a move for the good."

Hebert never trailed after an opening-round 66.

He'll compete in the PGA Cup in Scotland next month. That event features the best PGA professionals from the United States and Europe.

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