Kevin Streelman wins Tampa Bay Championship

Kevin Streelman claimed his first PGA Tour title with a two-stroke victory over fellow American Boo Weekley in the Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank at the Innisbrook Resort in Florida.

The Wilson Staff player produced an excellent final round of 67 to emerge from a congested pack and overhaul the leading score of Weekley, posted earlier in the day.

Streelman hadn’t won a tournament since the club championship at Whisper Rock, some five years ago and this breakthrough triumph has secured him his first start in The Masters at Augusta.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of time spent getting up early in the morning. It’s a dream come true,” he said. “Hopefully we can do it again, it was a lot of fun.”

Teeing off three hours before the leaders, Boo Weekley posted a, round of the week, 63 to set a clubhouse target of eight-under-par. Given the average score over the Copperhead Course for the week was almost 72, it was an incredible performance.

“Even I’m still kind of shocked how good I hit it,” said the 2008 Ryder Cup star. “One of the best days I’ve had in a long time.”

Justin Leonard put pressure on Streelman at the start of the back nine. The 1997 Open Champion tied for the lead when he made a birdie at the 12th hole. But Leonard bogeyed the 13th while Streelman made a birdie to take the lead for good.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia looked to threaten mid-way through the round but he couldn’t push on during the back nine. He ended in a tie for seventh place.

It was a big week for 19-year-old Jordan Spieth. By chipping in on the 17th hole and saving par at the last, he earned enough money to be granted temporary membership on the PGA Tour.

Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank
Innisbrook Resort, Copperhead Course, Palm Beach, Florida
Mar 14-17, purse $5,500,000, par 71

1 Kevin Streelman (USA) 73 69 65 67 274 $990,000
2 Boo Weekley (USA) 72 70 71 63 276 $594,000
3 Cameron Tringale (USA) 71 70 70 66 277 $374,000
T4 Luke Donald (Eng) 70 72 67 69 278 $227,333
T4 Greg Chalmers (NZ) 71 68 69 70 278 $227,333
T4 Justin Leonard (USA) 71 69 67 71 278 $227,333
T7 Harris English (USA) 68 69 73 69 279 $148,893
T7 Sergio Garcia (Esp) 71 67 72 69 279 $148,893
T7 Pat Perez (USA)    71 71 70 67 279 $148,893
T7 Jordan Spieth (USA) 72 68 69 70 279 $148,893
T7 Shawn Stefani (USA) 72 68 69 70 279 $148,893
T7 Jim Furyk (USA)    72 69 67 71 279 $148,893
T7 Ben Kohles (USA)    72 67 69 71 279 $148,893