Romero claims Zurich
Monday, March 31, 2008 10:54 AM PDT
AVONDALE, La. (AP) — Argentina’s Andres Romero won the Zurich Classic in his 12th career start on the PGA Tour, closing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Australia’s Peter Lonard.
Romero, a shot behind John Merrick on Sunday morning after the completion of the third round, had a 13-under 275 total on the TPC Louisiana and earned $1,116,000.
Lonard had a chance to force a playoff, but missed a long birdie putt on 18.
Lonard closed with a 69. He opened with a pair of birdies, bogeyed Nos. 3 and 10, then birdied Nos. 8, 11, 14 and 16 to tie Romero at 13 under. The Australian’s putt for par on 17 stopped 4 inches shy of the cup, and he then failed to birdie 18.