Love claims Miracle win

Love III: first win since 2006

I can't believe it happened. I hit three bad drives today, two of them on the last holes, but I'm excited to get it in. It's been a lot of fun.

Davis Love III
Quotes of the week

Final leaderboard
(US unless stated)
D Love III -25
T Gainey -24
S Marino -20
S Verplank -20
J Durant -19

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Davis Love III won for the first time in more than two years in thrilling fashion at the the Children's Miracle Network Classic.

The veteran American fired a bogey-free final round of 64 for a 25-under-par total and a one-shot triumph over Tommy Gainey.

Rookie Gainey produced a furious late charge, coming home in just 30 shots - including birdies at the final two - to also sign off with an eight-under 64.

But Love III just held on with a back nine of 31, sealing his first win since the 2006 Greensboro Classic by saving par from a greenside bunker at the last.

He had earlier rolled in five birdies in seven holes from the 10th to set up his 20th PGA Tour success, a landmark that earns him a lifetime exemption.

Grinding

"Thirteen months after ankle surgery, I've been grinding trying to get a win," he admitted.

"I can't believe it happened. I hit three bad drives today, two of them on the last holes, but I'm excited to get it in. It's been a lot of fun."

Gainey, nicknamed "Two Gloves" for his habit of wearing a glove on each hand, had the consolation that his career-high second place saw him shoot up from 228th to 148th on the money list.

That means the 33-year-old is partially exempt for next year and can go straight to final qualifying in an effort to retain his full card.

Third-round leaders Steve Marino and Scott Verplank had to settle for a share of third at 20-under-par after both faded to one-under final rounds of 71.

Joy for Laird

It also proved a memorable final-round for Scotland's Martin Laird who secured his card for 2009 by the skin of his teeth on the final green.

Laird went into the event at 126th on the money-list but scraped his way into the top 125 - thus gaining exemption - after earning a cheque for $49,680 having finished in a tie for 21st on 13-under-par.

However, the PGA Tour rookie did so in the most nail-biting fashion possible, holing an eight-footer for birdie on the 18th green to save himself.