Moore defeats Gallo on first extra hole to win Walnut Creek Classic

Goldsboro, NC- Former NCAA Individual Champion and Walker Cup hero Jonathan Moore birdied his final two holes of regulation and the first hole of a sudden death playoff to claim his first victory as a professional at the Tarheel Tour’s Walnut Creek Classic.

Moore and Kensington, CT native Kyle Gallo each birdied the final hole to shoot matching 70’s and finish at 14-under-par for the event. On the first hole of the sudden death playoff Gallo lipped out a downhill 17-footer leaving the door open for Moore to claim the title. The former Oklahoma State All-American buried his 14-footer from the fringe to win his first event on the Tarheel Tour and claim the winner’s share of $16,000. Moore’s victory was the first wire-to-wire victory of the 2008 season on the Tarheel Tour as he held or shared the lead after all three rounds.

“I’ve won as a junior (golfer), in college, in amateur golf, and now as a pro. It’s really exciting to get my first win as a professional. Playing with guys like Kyle (Gallo) and Michael (Sims) who have both played the Nationwide Tour and to be able to outlast them made this win very special to me,” said Moore, who currently resides in Reston, VA.

Moore, Gallo and 2007 Nationwide Tour member Michael Sims all started the day tied for the lead at 12-under-par. Sims fired a 3-under 33 on the front nine and held a two-stroke lead before a disastrous quadruple-bogey 9 on the par-5 11th derailed his chances. Sims birdied his final two holes to finish at 10-under and share eighth place.

Canadian Matthew McQuillan fired a 4-under 68 and finished at 13-under 203. McQuillan had a chance to join the playoff, but Gallo and Moore each birdied the 54th hole to finish one ahead, leaving McQuillan alone in third place with a $6,500 check as his consolation prize. Blake Adams of Eatonton, GA fired the low round of the day, a 66, to finish tied with Kevin Haefner at 12-under par for the tournament. The finish was good for fourth place tie and $4,850. Former East Carolina standout Frank Adams III carded a final-round 70 to finish in a tie for sixth.

The Tarheel Tour would like to thank Walnut Creek Country Club General Manager Jerry Bosquet, Head Golf Professional Jay Hill, Golf Course Superintendent Brad Edens and their respective staffs for great hospitality and a flawless golf course during the week. The Tarheel Tour travels to Bermuda Run, NC next week for the Bermuda Run Open beginning on Wednesday, May 28. The first 36 holes will be contested on the Main course and the West Course with the final round taking place on the Main Course, site of the 1986 NCAA Division I National Golf Championship.