Steve Wheatcroft ran away with the Melwood Prince George's County Open, finishing a staggering 29 under Sunday for a Nationwide Tour-record 12-stroke victory.
The 33-year-old former Indiana University player eagled the final hole for a 7-under 64 after opening with rounds of 66, 60 and 65 on the University of Maryland Golf Course.
Wheatcroft had the lowest 72-hole total in tour history at 255, fell a stroke short of tying the mark for relation to par, and broke the record for largest margin.
''I'm absolutely over-the-top ecstatic,'' Wheatcroft said. ''I've been out here for five years and never won. I wanted to make that next step and I wanted to do it in a big way.
''I had the pedal to the floor all day. I didn't want anybody thinking they had a chance today.''
Wheatcroft earned $108,000 to jump from 32nd to second on the money list.
Ryan Armour (62) and Jon Mills (65) tied for second.
Nicholas Thompson (69) followed at 16 under. He played alongside Wheatcroft on Sunday.
''He played phenomenal,'' Thompson said. ''There was no catching him.''
On Monday, Wheatcroft will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open.
''The U.S. Open is my biggest tournament. It's my dream tournament,'' he said.
He had 96 putts in the event, one off the tour record.
