COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Bill Lunde chipped in from 30 feet to birdie his final hole and earn a one-stroke victory in the Nationwide Tour's Children's Hospital Invitational on Sunday.
Lunde, who sat out the 2006 season, shot a 2-over 73 in the final round, but it was good enough for his first career victory and a $135,000 winner's check. He finished with a 5-under 279 on Ohio State's Scarlet Course.
``The time I took away from golf gave me a new perspective on working, and how fortunate we are to play golf for a living,'' he said. ``It's a special thing we get to do so I appreciate it a lot more than I used to.''
Dustin Bray (69) was a shot back at 280 and Tommy Tolles (69) was in a three-way tie at 3 under with Skip Kendall and Brendon De Jonge.
Lunde entered the final round with a one-shot lead over Scott Gardiner and Josh Broadway, who both shot 75s to fall out of contention.
Lunde, who sat out the 2006 season, double bogeyed his second hole and bogeyed 15 and 16. Needing a birdie to beat Bray on No. 18, Lunde hit his 150-yard approach to the final hole just off the left side of the green to set up his winner.
