Wichita, Kan. -- Brad Elder fired a 6-under 65 Sunday to win for the second time at the Wichita Open. He also won here in 1999. Elder, who won for the third time on the Nationwide Tour, completed his four- stroke win at 19-under-par 265. Elder's four-shot win was the largest in event history.
'I enjoy being here. I grew up in Tulsa, so this is nearby,' said Elder, who collected $90,000 for the win. 'It's a great golf course. It really fits my eye. The people and the fans make it a fun tournament.'
Fabian Gomez also shot 65 to take second place at minus-15. David Hearn (67), Vance Veazey (70), Stephen Gangluff (67) and Miguel Carballo (67) shared third place at 14-under-par 270.
Third-round leader Michael Walton, who was looking for his first tour win, struggled to a two-over 73. That dropped him into a tie 13th at minus-12.
Elder opened with a birdie on the first and carded another at the sixth to move to 15-under and into a share of the lead on the North Course at Crestview Country Club.
The 32-year-old remained at 15-under as he parred the next six holes. He dropped a shot on the par-4 13th, but bounced back in stunning fashion.
Elder converted an eagle on the par-5 14th and moved two strokes clear of the field as he birdie No. 15.
After a par on 16, Elder pulled away from the field as he birdied the final two holes to win by four.
'I finished great. I got it done when I needed to,' Elder stated. 'I'll keep that finish in my mind. That is what I will remember about this tournament. I had some luck today and that helps you win as well.'
Gomez, who played nine groups ahead of Elder, flew up the leaderboard with three birdies in a row from the second. He parred the next four before birdies on three of the next six holes got him to 15-under. Gomez parred the last four to take second.
Kris Blanks closed with a 4-under 67 to finish at 13-under-par 271. He was joined in seventh place by Keoke Cotner, 2004 champion Bradley Hughes, 2003 winner Jeff Klauk, David McKenzie and Martin Laird.
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