MIAMI -- Opponent's eagle on 18 keeps Modesto golfer from winning event. On other days, this would have been a demoralizing loss. But second place on Sunday was enough to secure Matt Bettencourt his PGA Tour card for 2009.
The Modesto golfer watched his opponent hole out a 125-yard wedge for eagle on the final hole of regulation, then birdie the first playoff hole to win the Nationwide Tour's Miccosukee Championship.
D.A. Points used his miracle shot to captured the title, but Bettencourt secured his place on the sport's biggest stage: the PGA Tour. "Nobody has ever been happier to finish second," said Bettencourt, who shot 4-under 67 on the day to finish 12-under overall. "I reached my lifelong goal of making the PGA Tour. The guy played great. When you hole out from the fairway ... that's just fantastic." Bettencourt, leading by one stroke, struck his approach onto the 18th green and "figured I was in a safe position." It wasn't safe enough, because Points followed with a shot that hit about 10 feet short and rolled into the cup for an eagle 2. After Points holed his shot, Bettencourt -- in a sportsmanlike gesture -- smiled and shook his opponent's hand and said, "Awesome!" as they walked together to the final green.
"Would you like to see it go in the hole? No, but golf is a fraternity. It is a unique sport. I was happy for him. What are you going to do?" Bettencourt said. "I just had to get my composure together and make that putt. I had a good read on it and I knew I was going to knock it in." Bettencourt then holed a downhill 18-footer to force the playoff, celebrating by punching his fist forward. Points won on the next hole.
Matt Hansen of Atwater finished tied for sixth at 8-under overall.
Bettencourt figured he had to place in the top five to clinch his top 25 on the 2008 money list, which secures PGA card status. Mission accomplished. He will play without pressure in two weeks at the Nationwide Tour Championship, an event limited to only the top 60 on the money list. There is no cut, and Bettencourt will be assured of a check and the knowledge he cannot fall out of the all-important top 25. Bettencourt moved up from No. 22 to No. 12 on the money list Sunday; Hansen moved from No. 85 to No. 67.
"I've dreamed of this (qualifying for the Tour) since I was a little boy," Bettencourt said. "I'm going to make the best of it and keep having fun."
Bee staff writer Ron Agostini contributed to this report.