Kevin Foley won the Web.com Tour's season-opening Panama Claro Championship on Sunday for his first tour title, holing a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Mathew Goggin.
The 25-year-old former Penn State player closed with a 3-under 67 in 93-degree heat to finish at 8-under 272 at Panama Golf Club. He earned $108,000.
''It you had told me a year ago that I'd be standing here I probably wouldn't have believed you,'' Foley said. ''I'd take it, but I wouldn't believe it. A lot has happened in a year.''
Goggin had a bogey, double bogey and triple bogey in his final-round 70. The 2010 champion had a chance to force a playoff with a birdie at the 465-yard 18th, but settled for par after his second shot went into a greenside bunker.
''I played really poorly for 13 holes,'' said Goggin, from Australia. ''I wasn't playing particularly well, but I was hanging in there. You're just waiting for one or two holes or one or two shots to get you going and then instead of a good one you have the absolute worst one.''
Foley began the round tied for second, two strokes behind Goggin.
''I knew it was going to be a shootout today because there were a bunch of guys lined up to start the day,'' Foley said. ''It wasn't the windiest day but with tough pin positions and the course getting firmer, I knew I just had to play smart and steady all day.''
Scott Brown shot a 66 to finish third at 6 under, and Scott Dunlap (68), Len Mattiace (69) and Roland Thatcher (71) followed at 4 under. Jordan Spieth (66) and Bobby Gates (72) were 3 under. The 19-year-old Spieth turned professional in December 2012 after 1 1/2 years at the University of Texas.
The tournament opened the tour's 24th season. The Colombia Championship is next week, followed by the Chile Classic. The U.S. schedule begins March 21-24 with the Louisiana Open.
