Murphy roars back to 10th
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Staff and Reports - Published: February 8, 2010
In Fingal, Australia, St. Johnsbury native Trevor Murphy charged past two-dozen competitors to a finishing tie for 10th place at the Nationwide Tour's Moonah Classic on Sunday.
Murphy posted a torrid 5-under 65 in the final round to leapfrog from 34th place in the Tour's season-opening event. Murphy had six birdies, including three straight on holes 2 through 4, and only one bogey. It was the best of four rounds for the three-time Vermont Amateur champion and North Carolina-Charlotte graduate.
Murphy (69, 72, 75 and 65 at Moonah Links) finished a 5-under par 283, six shots back of winner Jim Herman. Murphy earned $16,100.
Another former Vermonter, Keegan Bradley, also had a closing flourish with a 4-under 68 to go from 35th to a tie for 21st and claim a $6,147 check.
Murphy has a partial exemption on the Nationwide Tour and also competes on the Gateway Tour in and around his hometown of Scottsdale, Ariz. This week's tournament marked his Nationwide debut.
Murphy gained a measure of national attention last summer at the U.S. Open, where a strong second round helped him make the 36-hole cut at Bethpage Black.
Stricker wins, now No. 2
LOS ANGELES — Steve Stricker has won the Northern Trust Open for his fourth victory since May to move to No. 2 in the world ranking.
Starting the final round Sunday with a six-shot lead at Riviera, Stricker never had it easy. He led by only two shots after five holes, and still didn't feel as though he had the tournament wrapped up until he tapped in for a 1-under 70. He finished two ahead of Luke Donald.
Donald had all the momentum on the front nine until missing consecutive putts inside 10 feet. He never got any closer the rest of the day and closed with a 66. Dustin Johnson had a 66 and J.B. Holmes shot 67 to tie for third.
WOMEN'S HOOP
USM 74, VTC 53
In Randolph Center, Danvilles' Liz Wakefield scored his 1,000th point but it was not enough to lift Vermont Tech to victory. Wakefield need 13 points coming in and finished right on the number. The 6-foot-3 center also pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked eight shots.
Kelly Vellek led all scorers with 22 for the 4-12 Knights while Rachel Del Camp tossed in 18 for Southern Maine.
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