Geoff Ogilvy wins Barracuda Championship

Geoff Ogilvy won the Barracuda Championship at Montreux G&CC in Nevada. The Australian finished five points clear of the USA’s Justin Hicks in the modified Stableford event.

Geoff Ogilvy won the Barracuda Championship at Montreux G&CC in Nevada. The Australian finished five points clear of the USA’s Justin Hicks in the modified Stableford event.

Ogilvy had been unsure whether to enter the tournament following a bad finish in the Canadian Open, but he was persuaded to make the trip to Nevada by friends and fellow players. It turned out to be a good decision, as the 37-year-old claimed his first PGA Tour title since 2010.

“I was 50-50 on coming here this week," Ogilvy said. "On Monday night, I had like a really long trip back from Canada and I was tired and over it and frustrated. Everyone talked to me into it. Said, `Come to Reno. You'll like Reno. You're playing well.'"

In the tournament, players received eight points for albatross, five for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, minus-one for bogey and minus-three for double bogey or worse. As such, it suited the aggressive player and Ogilvy took advantage of that, finishing the week on a score of +49.

The 2006 U.S. Open champ sealed the deal with a solid back nine on Sunday that included an eagle on the 13th and birdies on the 14th and 18th holes. With the victory, Ogilvy has earned a start at next week’s USPGA Championship.

“The format suits me,” he said. “I’m happy to be in the PGA. I haven’t missed one for a really long time.

Justin Hicks enjoyed a superb 18 point final day to finish the tournament alone in second, seven points ahead of Jonathan Byrd and John Huh.

Nick Watney had trailed Ogilvy by just three points after three rounds, but the American had a disappointing final day, scoring only two points and falling back into a tie for 8th.

"Today I didn't have my best stuff,” he said. “But I think I'm on a good path. I’m looking forward to next week. ... Just have to make more putts."

Barracuda Championship Montreux G&CC, Reno, Nevada Jul 31 – Aug 3, purse $3,000,000, par 72

1    Geoff Ogilvy (Aus)    16    7    12    14    +49    $540,000 2    Justin Hicks (USA)    9    6    11    18    +44    $324,000 T3    Jonathan Byrd (USA)    7    6    13    11    +37    $174,000 T3    John Huh (USA)        12    7    7    11    +37    $174,000 5    Rod Pampling (Aus)    11    5    9    11    +36    $120,000 T6    Martin Laird (Sco)    13    -4    14    12    +35    $104,250 T6    Jason Allred (USA)    7    11    14    3    +35    $104,250 T8    Ricky Barnes (USA)    5    6    12    11    +34    $84,000 T8    Kyle Stanley (USA)    5    11    6    12    +34    $84,000 T8    Tim Wilkinson (NZ)    16    5    1    12    +34    $84,000 T8    Nick Watney (USA)    18    8    6    2    +34    $84,000

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage