PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Chris Moody of Provo, Utah, fired a final-round even-par 72 on a windy Sunday to win the 2007 TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Assistant Professional Championship at 11-under-par 277. Jim Herman, PGA assistant professional at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., made a late charge with a 67 and finished two-strokes behind Moody at 9-under 279.
Scott Medlin, a PGA apprentice at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort, carded a 68 and finished in sole possession of third place at 281.
Bob Jacobson, PGA assistant professional at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena, Calif., finished in fourth place at 282.
Moody, a 32-year-old PGA assistant professional at Riverside Country Club in Provo, Utah, who began the round five-strokes ahead of his closest competitor, recorded three bogeys on his front-nine and led by only one-stroke heading into the back-nine.
"I was bleeding all over on the first few holes," said Moody, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on Monday. "I was too complacent on the front side. I think that I was guiding the ball instead of just going ahead and hitting it."
Moody made a significant change from the front-nine to the back-nine, which led to four birdies and one bogey.
"I felt a sense of urgency, looking at the scoreboard and seeing I was only up a by one," said Moody, who has been invited to the 2008 Australian PGA National Futures Championship. "I got to the 10th fairway and I was in between clubs. I went with my gut, which was an 8-iron, and I hit it perfect. From that point on I really got on a roll and that led to a whole lot more birdies."
Moody also admits that the weather may have played a significant role in his round.
"We went through the whole ball of wax today," said Moody, who won the Championship in his third appearance. "We dealt with rain, wind and heat at different points in the round."
Herman, a PGA assistant professional at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., felt he gave himself a chance going into the final round.
"I knew I would at least have to go out there and shoot a 66 today," said Herman, who is competing in his third Assistant's Championship. "I did not have any bogeys and five birdies, but I still left some shots out on the course that I wish would have dropped. Of course he would have had to shoot a little worse then what he actually did."
Herman admits to being a little confused by the greens early in the week.
"I drove the ball well all week and had good iron play, but it took a while for me to get used to these greens," said Herman, who shot a 68 or 8th place with three others. Flinton, who captured titles in 2002, '03 and '05, was unable to make a serious run at a fourth title.
"My ball striking was really bad this week," said the 41-year Flinton. "I just need to chalk this tournament up as a bad four-day event. I have a few more job opportunities that may be opening up by I do hope to come back and compete again next year."
The field was trimmed to the low 70 scorers and ties after Friday's second-round, with 71 players advancing at 6-over-par to play the final two rounds at the Wanamaker Course.
TaylorMade-adidas Golf returns as title sponsor for the eighth consecutive year. The field included assistant professional champions Remi Bouchard from Canada and Jonathan Lupton from Middlesbrough, England.
For more then 30 years, this Championship has produced many outstanding PGA Professionals who have gone onto successful careers in teaching and administering the game, as well as competing at the highest level on the PGA and Champions Tours.
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
