Gainey Didn't Get The Saturday Night Memo at The McGladrey

If you listened to the Saturday night, and Sunday morning coverage of the McGladrey Classic on the Golf Channel, you would have found out that the final round, and championship was was going to belong to tournament host, and Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III, or his controversial Captain’s pick, Jim Fuyrk. Whoever was responsible for getting that information to five year Pro Tommy Gainey, did not do so.

Gainey came out on Sunday at the Sea Island  Golf Club, looking like a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, and fired a -10 under par 60, getting him to -16 under par for the tournament, and his first PGA Tour win. He flirted with that all elusive 59, needing to add just one more birdie on 17 or 18, but would have to settle for pars and a 60. Gainey had a bogey free round with eight birdies, and an eagle 3 at the par 5 15th hole.

Tommy Gainey has taken the road less traveled to this point in his career. After winning the Big Break in 2005, and three trips through the Q School, the 37 year old journeyman, who hails from Darlington, South Carolina  got his Tour Card in 2007, and never looked back. With his winners share of $720,000 pushing him up to 56th on the money list, and the two year exemption that comes from winning a tournament, his immediate future is secure.

Gainey played in 31 PGA events this year, and made 17 cuts. His best finish on the year prior to Sunday, was a third place finish at The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Fort Worth back in May.

Tour Veteran David Toms put up a fight Sunday afternoon, and kept Gainey honest. The 23 year pro, shot a blistering -7 under par 63, and finished the event at one stroke back at -15. Toms could not recover from a bogey at the first hole, but took home a $430,000 dollar check for his efforts.

Jim Fuyrk had a Sunday we have become accustomed to seeing from him when he’s expected to win. He shot a mundane -1 under 69, and could get nothing going. He had a couple of birdies at the 7th and 15th holes, but bogeyed 18 to fall back to -14 under par alone in third place.

Tournament host Davis Love III had a disappointing afternoon, and with a double bogey at the par 4 16th hole, shot 71, finishing in a three way tie for fourth place, with Brendon de Jonge and D.J. Trahan.

With the Fall Series winding down, Billy Mayfair finds himself  at 125th on the money list. Trevor Immelman, and Rod Pampling have given themselves a little breathing room at 123rd, and 124th respectfully, and on the outside looking in, are Kevin Chappell , and Gary Christian.