Matt Bettencourt, 35, garnered his first PGA Tour win at the Reno-Tahoe Open with a closing round of 68 to best Bob Heintz by one shot. Heintz could have forced a playoff by making a three-foot birdie on the 18th green, but missed the short putt and settled for par and second place.
“Man, it was tough, Bob Heintz played a great round of golf today, chipped in three times and holed a bunker shot. So not often you see that. It was gritty coming down the end, but I just had a great conversation with Matthew, my caddie, and he kept me so relaxed all week, and really made me believe in myself and my ability, and it’s amazing what you can do when you believe in your ability,” said Bettencourt.
Bettencourt posted rounds of 66, 68, 75, and 68 for an 11-under 277 on the Montreux Golf and Country Club. At 7,472 yards and a mile high elevation, the rarified atmosphere allows for longer ball distances and reduces the effective yardage of the course. The Sierra setting has towering pine trees, creeks, lakes, and waterfalls. Montreux is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course and is considered one of his top five courses. The PGA Tour stop at Montreux is the only West Coast Tour event held in the summer.
The Reno-Tahoe Open was held during the same week as the British Open and gave PGA tour players the opportunity to win an official PGA Tour title without having to compete against many of the top-ranked players in the U.S. and World. The Reno-Tahoe Open has historically been an event with tournament dates that are opposite other larger Tour events.
Scott McCarron, a Montreux member serving as the tournament host, started the final day with a one-stroke lead at 10-under then collapsed into a tie for 35th at 1-under after posting an 81.
The victory is the first PGA Tour title for Bettencourt and as a result he will receive full-exempt status on the Tour through the 2012 season and an invitation to next month’s PGA Championship.
“Man, it was tough, Bob Heintz played a great round of golf today, chipped in three times and holed a bunker shot. So not often you see that. It was gritty coming down the end, but I just had a great conversation with Matthew, my caddie, and he kept me so relaxed all week, and really made me believe in myself and my ability, and it’s amazing what you can do when you believe in your ability,” said Bettencourt.
Bettencourt posted rounds of 66, 68, 75, and 68 for an 11-under 277 on the Montreux Golf and Country Club. At 7,472 yards and a mile high elevation, the rarified atmosphere allows for longer ball distances and reduces the effective yardage of the course. The Sierra setting has towering pine trees, creeks, lakes, and waterfalls. Montreux is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course and is considered one of his top five courses. The PGA Tour stop at Montreux is the only West Coast Tour event held in the summer.
The Reno-Tahoe Open was held during the same week as the British Open and gave PGA tour players the opportunity to win an official PGA Tour title without having to compete against many of the top-ranked players in the U.S. and World. The Reno-Tahoe Open has historically been an event with tournament dates that are opposite other larger Tour events.
Scott McCarron, a Montreux member serving as the tournament host, started the final day with a one-stroke lead at 10-under then collapsed into a tie for 35th at 1-under after posting an 81.
The victory is the first PGA Tour title for Bettencourt and as a result he will receive full-exempt status on the Tour through the 2012 season and an invitation to next month’s PGA Championship.
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