The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Sports

Related Photos

Discussion

June 22, 2008

Corr cruises to Classic title

By Rich Brown

rbrown@joplinglobe.com

MIAMI, Okla. — Jeff Corr said before going into the final 36 holes of the $200,000 Buffalo Run Casino Classic on Sunday that the toughest thing for him to do was follow up a great round with a good round.

The young Floridian’s great round came in the opening 18 holes of the NGA Hooters Pro Golf event on Thursday with a 10-under-par 62 at the Peoria Ridge course near Miami. But the last three rounds weren’t too bad either.

In fact, they were good enough to get him the championship with a 30-under-par 258 and a winning margin of three strokes over Parker LeBarge, St. Louis, and Brett Myers of Broken Arrow. LeBarge even had the fourth-round low score of 62 to put a little more pressure on Corr, who went on the tour three years ago out of college.

Corr maintained a relentless pace, assuring his lead in every round. He opened with a one-stroke edge over Joey Lamielle, Sarasota, Fla.; Matthew Anderson, Edina, Minn.; and Daniel Vojta, Palatine, Ill.

He shot 64 on Saturday to give him an 18-under-par 126 and five-stroke lead after the first two rounds. He repeated his Saturday score for the first 18 holes Sunday to take a three-stroke lead over Myers, going into the final round, which he finished at 68.

His win did not come without a little anxiety on the final hole, however. After hitting a tee shot straight down the fairway, he landed his second shot into the bunker.

“The only thing I was thinking about was just get it out of the bunker and I hoped the board was correct that I only needed a two-putt to win,” he said. “I have had maybe three or four top 20 finishes and a couple of top 10s this year but this is the first time for me to win outside the winter series on the tour.”

The sixth annual tournament opened with 168 players, including three amateurs. The field was cut to the lowest 60 scorers, plus ties, after the first two rounds. The second round that had originally been scheduled for Friday was postponed until Saturday due to heavy thunderstorms, forcing the third and fourth rounds of 18 holes each to be played Sunday.

Ryan Henry, former University of Tulsa ace who tied the course record with his 11-under-par 61 Saturday, had a third-round score of 65 and carded a 66 in the fourth round to finish 263, which gave him a fourth-place tie with last year’s champion, Jordan Dempsey of Baton Rouge, La.

The toughest task for Henry was having to make up for his opening round of 71.

“After that first round, to make the move that I did, I don’t have any complaints,” he said.

Henry tied the record held by another Oklahoman, Chris James, of Edmond. James’ 61 came in 2005 in the third round of the Buffalo Run championship. James, after opening with a 68, had scores of 69-66-65 to finish with 268 Sunday in a four-way tie for eighth.

David Skinns from England, the leading money winner going into this week’s tourney, finished in a three-way tie for 17th with a score of 270.

Robert Russell, a Joplin High School graduate and well-known area golfer, wound up play Saturday with a 1-under-par 143. Others from the area, also completing play Saturday, were Boyd Downey, Carl Junction, with 152; and amateurs Seth Rhodes, Miami, 156; and Bryce Rowe, Baxter Springs, 159.

Corr took home the first-place prize of $33,566.

Text Only

Pittsburg State Sports

Missouri Southern Sports

High School Sports

Purchase Globe Sports Photos


Facebook
Opinion

Local News

Poll

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, taking aim at childhood obesity, intends to restrict sales of sugary soft drinks to no more than 16 ounces a cup in city restaurants, movie theaters, stadiums and arenas. Do you think this is a solution?

Yes.
No.
     View Results