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Brian Gay wins first PGA title at Mayakoba Classic

Brian Gay holds his trophy after winning the Mayakoba Classic Golf Tournament in Cancun, Mexico, on Sunday. A mariachi band plays in the background. PHOTO: AP

Brian Gay claimed the first US PGA Tour title of his career on Sunday, posting a one-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over charging Steve Marino in the US$3.5 million Mayakoba Classic.

Gay's 16-under total of 264 was good enough to deliver the American his first victory in 292 career PGA Tour events.

"Yeah, it has been a long time," Gay said. "Obviously a lot of hard work. It took me longer to get out on the Tour after college than I thought. Even though I was doing really well on the mini-tours and had my chances through the years and wasn't able to get it done. So this is really a big, big relief to finally do it."

After firing a blistering third-round 62 to take a five-stroke lead, Gay held off Marino, who closed with a 66 for 266, to make up for a past disappointment.

Gay, a 10-year veteran, had held a 54-hole lead only one other time in his career, at the Colonial in 2004.

He was five-over in the final round and fell from a three-way tie for the lead to a tie for 14th.

This time Gay took advantage of the absence of the world's best golfers -- competing this week at the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship -- and was solid on Sunday.

His four birdies -- at seven, eight, 11 and 13 -- balanced a trio of bogeys.

"Even though I had a big lead, it was tough just trying to not make mistakes, you know," Gay said. "Just trying to make pars and get the ball in the center of the green."

One of Gay's bogeys came at the 17th and he saw his lead dwindle to two shots when Marino birdied the 18th.

But Gay closed with a par to pocket the US$630,000 first prize.
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