Gangjee registers best finish in Nationwide

Raleigh: A late slump pulled him back but Rahil Gangjee`s rollercoaster two-under 69 was still enough to fetch him his best finish in a Nationwide Tour event as he signed off tied 11th in the Rex Hospital Open at the TPC Wakefield Plantation course.

The 33-year-old was in a position to challenge for a better finish with three successive birdies from ninth to 11th, at which point he was three-under. Gangjee eventually finished with a total of 10-under 274. At 12-under at one stage, he was even in a position to challenge for the title, but bogeys on the 15th and 17th ruined his chances, though a birdie on 18th undid some of the damage. Through the week, Gangjee hit long but found only 50 per cent of the fairways on most days. His iron play was better but he could have done with some lesser putts than the average of 28.5 per round he had.It was Gangjee`s best finish in his rookie season and the cheque of USD 12,100 took him up from 125th to 85th on the Money List. The top-25 qualify for the PGA Tour in 2012. Gangjee had a slow start but has now moved up with three cuts in five starts.Kyle Thompson carded a three-under 68 and won the title for the second time in five years with a total of 14-under 270. It was Thompson`s third Nationwide win in his career. PTI