Lee Messinger Wins in a Photo Finish at Round
Rock, TX
Round Rock, TX - Lee Messinger, a 4-time winner on the
Texas Tour in 1997 but a non-winner in 1998, vaulted himself back into the winner's circle
today with a 20 under par 88 and a 1-stroke victory over Cliff Matthews from
Hurst and David Lynch
of Mesquite. Matthews, making his first start of 1999, had overcome an opening round of 34
and was in position to win until he was derailed with a double bogey at 16 in the final
round on the treacherous "Y-hole". Yet another challenger fell as Lynch had a
chance to send the tournament to a playoff at 18, but saw his ace attempt lip out. Greg Roberts, the
leader after 36 holes and 2-time winner on tour this year, fell off the pace in the final
round and finished in fourth place at 92.
In match play, state champion Brice Bergesen of Houston extended his
unbeaten match play string to a new state record 16 wins in a row to claim his fourth and
final qualifying spot for the state championship. The other match play bracket in the pro
division saw Cliff Matthews survive an exciting sudden death match with Jeffrey Smith in the
semi-finals, then halt Joel Baker's unbeaten match play streak at Round Rock with a
victory in the finals to claim his first qualifying spot for state weekend.
In Sunday's APA division at Round Rock, Randy Wimpy claimed his second
victory in three starts on tour this season shooting an 18 under par 90, good for a
4-stroke victory over James Kile of Duncanville (94). Saturday's winner Steve Willmann was
third at 98. In Match play, Kile claimed a qualifying spot for state weekend along with
Tom King.
Professional Scores from the Round Rock, TX Event (11 April
1999)