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**administrator** · 10-10-2006, 12:01 PM

So lets hear it here, who do you think is going to capture this victory

Remember, stay tuned as updates will be added. If you have some late breaking news, make sure to chime in.

**administrator** · 10-16-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Matteson breaks through with Frys.com Open victory

LAS VEGAS -- Rookie Troy Matteson was a bit tense when he stood over the putt that could set up his first PGA TOUR victory. Never mind that he needed only to two-putt from 8 feet.
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"I was trying not to hit it into the lake. I was just so nervous, really," said Matteson, who nudged that putt within inches of the hole and then tapped in for the win.

"I'm just glad it was about 8 or 9 inches because I can usually handle those," Matteson said, smiling after his long Sunday on the golf course ended with the Frys.com Open title.

Consistently hitting his approach shots close and remaining cool and collected on the tense final holes, Matteson shot a 3-under 69 to finish one shot ahead of Ben Crane and Daniel Chopra.

Matteson, who had to complete the last six holes of the rain-delayed third round early in the morning before beginning the final 18 holes, finished at 22-under 265.

Crane, a two-time winner on the TOUR, shot a 65, and Chopra, left looking for his first victory, had a 66.

"I didn't really expect to win an event this year. It's an unbelievable feeling," said Matteson, who has strung together three good finishes.

His Las Vegas win followed a tie for sixth at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro and a tie for eighth the previous week after he struggled for much of his first year on the TOUR.

He seemed primed to join the best.

A three-time All-American at Georgia Tech and the 2002 NCAA champion, Matteson won twice last year on the Nationwide Tour and broke the Tour's money record with $495,009.

Playing in the final group with Chopra and nursing a one-shot lead, Matteson stuck his second shot on the 444-yard, par-4 18th within 8 feet. Chopra missed his birdie try from 18 feet, then Matteson two-putted to put it away.

He raised his arms, then tipped his hat to acknowledge the applause from the gallery.

After a bogey at No. 13, he eased away from a four-way tie at 20 under with birdies at Nos. 14 and 16. Crane, Frank Lickliter II and Charley Hoffman briefly were even with him at the top.

Lickliter shot a 64 to finish fourth at 20 under, and Hoffman had a 71 to tie for fifth at 19 under.

Crane, coming off a back injury, was pleased to be in contention.

"I'm pretty ecstatic to have a chance," he said. "That's what you want to do out here. "I played well down the stretch, but Troy played better. My hat's off to him."

Matteson credited his brother, who was caddying for him during the tournament, with keeping him calm.

"The main thing with most players is to try to keep their confidence high," said 29-year-old J.T. Matteson. "I reminded Troy about his ball-striking; he's been phenomenal."

The elder Matteson said that, as his brother lined up the 8-footer on No. 18, "He wanted to make that putt, but I told him just be sure to cozy it up."

An early morning had stretched into early evening by the time Matteson finished the 24 holes he had to navigate on the final day.

REST OF THE STORY HERE