Anguiano Surges From Behind to Claim eGolf Gateway Tour Title at Oak Valley
By Stewart Moore
Beaumont, Calif. – Mark Anguiano of Whittier, Calif. came from behind on Thursday afternoon to claim the eGolf Gateway Tour’s spring series event at Oak Valley Golf Club, posting a final-round 67 to card a 12-under 204 tally – good for a one-shot win and the event’s $11,200 first-place prize.
Through 36 holes of the event, Brett Lederer of Long Beach, Calif. set the pace with rounds of 66-69—135 to nab the overnight lead at 9-under par entering Thursday’s final round.
Lederer, a 2015 Web.com Tour member, got off to a sluggish start, posting one bogey and one birdie through 12 holes to remain at 9-under on the week.
That start first gave former World No. 1-ranked amateur Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho an edge, as the former Washington Huskie notched three birdies and an eagle in his opening nine to turn at 5-under on the day and 12-under overall.
Mark Anguiano
His torrid opening stretch, however, stalled on the closing nine, as four bogeys gave way to a 1-over 37 that put him in the house at 11-under for the tournament.
Anguiano, with birdies on Nos. 5 and 9 to turn at 2-under on the day and 9-under total, pounced on the back nine. The 33-year-old birdied Nos. 12, 13 and 16 to ascend to 12-under par, which is where he finished after pars on 17 and 18 left him with a final-round 67.
Lederer, needing a strong finish to match, birdied 13 and 15 to reach 11-under par, but bogeyed the par-5 16th to fall back to 10-under par.
The former Long Beach State star, needing birdies on his final two holes to match, pared 17 and 18 to post 11-under 205 – one shot back of Anguiano, who collected his first tour title.
The win continued a stellar 2015 pace for Anguiano, who entered the week with a T12 at Papago Golf Course in January and a solo-fourth-place effort at last month’s event at Rustic Canyon.
Williams and Ben Fox of Sherman Oaks, Calif. finished in a two-way tie for second at 11-under par, earning $5,775 apiece.
Lederer, making his first tour start since 2013, finished alone in fourth place at 10-under 206. He earned $4,300.
eGolf Gateway Tour’s west coast spring series will continue week at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc, Calif. on March 17-19. Registration for this event is still open.