Apr
27
Posted By: Chris Garrett ยท
After enduring a seven-year winless streak, Jerry Kelly shot a final round 1-under 71 to capture the Zurich Classic by one shot on Sunday. Kelly, a longtime SciFlex fan, has also worn SYNR-G shoes since their debut this year. He wore style #53883 during the final round.
Kelly offset bogeys on No. 8 and No. 10 with birdies on Nos. 5, 11 and 14 for a 1-under 71 in the final round. He finished with a 14-under 274 total, one stroke ahead of three players. It was the 42-year-old Wisconsin player’s first PGA Tour title since he won two in 2002 – exactly 200 starts ago.
His first title since claiming the Sony Open and Advil Western Open in 2002 provided Kelly with his biggest payday ever. The winning purse moved Kelly from No. 97 to No. 14 on the money list with $1.4 million. It also earns him full exempt status through 2011 and an invitation to the Master next year.
“It’s been a long time,” said Kelly, who was showered with Mardi Gras beads by fans and presented with a large tray of char-broiled oysters by his favorite New Orleans restaurant. “I sometimes doubted if it was ever going to happen again.”
Kelly, known for showing his emotions on the golf course, was in full celebration mode after the win. He took the umbrella from the parade marshal, donned his tasseled sash and danced his way off the 18th as the brass band played an exuberant Dixieland tune.