McLuen captures Walnut Creek Classic title

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 6, 2007 1:51 PM

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Jay McLuen fired a final-round 67 to erase a three-shot deficit and captured the Tarheel Tour's Walnut Creek Classic, which is his second career Tarheel Tour title.

McLuen began the day tied for seventh place and despite playing the front nine in 2-under par, he still trailed overnight co-leader Scott Brown by four shots with nine holes to play. McLuen made all pars until a chip-in birdie on the 15th hole gave him hope for the stretch run.

"I knew I had to keep it going. I knew Scott was playing well and to have any chance I was going to have to finish strong," said McLuen, who hails from Columbia, S.C.

After a par on 16, McLuen hit his second shot to the par-5 17th to within four feet of the cup. The subsequent eagle left McLuen at 12-under par for the tournament and one shot ahead of Brown who had made a costly double bogey at the 14th.

McLuen left his birdie putt inches short on 18 and was forced to watch from the clubhouse as Brown hit his approach into the 18th green to within six feet. Brown's birdie putt to force a playoff spun out.

The missed putt gave McLuen the title and a $15,000 payday.

The round of the day came from Big Break star Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey who fired a course-record 64 to vault into a second-place tie with three other players.

The tour would like to thank head professional Kevin Williams and his staff for going above and beyond this week to help make the tournament run smoothly. Course superintendent Brad Edens provided a venue that was universally praised by the players for its immaculate conditioning. The tour would also like to give a special thanks to general manager Jerry Bosquet and his membership for showing the tour the true meaning of southern hospitality.