J.J. Killeen wins maiden title at Utah Championship on Nationwide Tour
J.J. Killeen posted a wire-to-wire victory at the Utah Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission to win his maiden title on the Nationwide Tour on Sunday July, 31.
Opening up his bid for the title with a record-leveling first round of 62, Killeen continued with his impressive iron work to maintain his lead in the proceeding rounds of the event. He pulled in a final round of six-under, 65 to edge past the rest of the
field with four shots. His aggregate score of 22-under, 262 equaled the course record first set by Brendon Todd in 2008.
For Killeen, the day turned out to be an extra special one with his family witnessing the whole event from the stands. He had his father Joe, who is an obstetrician and gynecologist, on the bag and provided all the moral help Killeen might have needed on
the course.
“It was really special having my mom and dad here, especially my dad on my bag,” Killeen said. “I got a little emotional when I saw my wife and daughter. It just feels great.”
On a question of how much will he be paying his father for being his caddie in all the four rounds, “He wouldn't accept a cent from me in a million years,” Killeen said of the man who got him started in golf. “I could offer it, and he would tell me to take
a hike, for sure.”
Killeen shot final round of six birdies and did not drop a single shot the whole day. Jeff Gove who also equaled the course record with a massive 62 on the second day, failed to pull an impressive show on the final day.
His final round card included just one eagle at par-five, 3rd, and probably spoiled his chances by being over-defensive with his shots. Gove, who was looking for his fourth win on the tour, remains upbeat with his performance on the final day.
“I'm really pleased, though. It was fun to get back in contention. My putting was the best it's felt in years, and I'm really happy with that. I was 18-under for the week, and I haven't done that in a while,” Gove added.
Killeen has now surged to number four on the money list and although well within the top-25 who can win a PGA Tour card for 2012, he will be heading straight to the Cox Classic in Nebraska without any breaks. He won a winner’s share of $99,000 for his victory.
Casey Wittenberg, was one of the star players on the final day when he carded a stunning final round of six-under, 65, pulling in no fewer than eight birdies and dropping just two shots on the front nine.
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