Another Win for Gore

Jason Gore won his second consecutive Nationwide Tour event, closing with a three-under-par 67 Sunday for a four-stroke victory over Bill Haas at the Scholarship America Showdown.

Gore, a U.S. Open fan favorite who was coming off a victory at the National Mining Assn. Pete Dye Classic, finished at 14-under 266 at Troy Burne Golf Club.

He won the fifth Nationwide Tour title of his career four weeks after shooting a 14-over 84 in the final round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst to drop from a tie for second to a tie for 49th in the major championship.

“If I hadn’t shot 84 in the Open, then maybe I wouldn’t be sitting here today,” he said. “Sunday golf is a lot more interesting than Thursday through Saturday golf.

“I surprised myself after Sunday at Pinehurst. That could have been a make-or-break round for me. To be honest, the last six weeks have been pretty incredible. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Gore earned $94,500 for the win, giving him $202,500 in his last two starts and a career-high $244,079 for the season, good for third place on the money list and ensuring a return to the PGA Tour next season. The top 20 at the end of the season will earn 2006 PGA Tour cards.