Evansville, IN – Peter Tomasulo parred the fourth playoff hole Sunday to defeat David Lingmerth and win the United Leasing Championship at Victoria National Golf Club.
Tomasulo made a four at No. 18 after Lingmerth found trouble off the tee on the fourth hole of sudden death. It was Tomasulo's third victory on the Web.com Tour and first since 2010.
"This is the first time in a long time that I've felt really healthy," said Tomasulo, who battled injuries all year. "It's a lot of fun being back out here. I miss being out here and playing. This feels great. It's a blast being out here and competing again. I really didn't expect to play well this early."
He managed a 2-under 70 in Sunday's final round, but could have avoided a playoff altogether had he not bogeyed the 18th in regulation after a soggy drive.
"It was a terrible swing," said Tomasulo. "I thought my caddie was going to jump in the water he was so mad. I told him all we have to do is make birdie with the second ball. I knew I had to make birdie so I stepped up and hit the same club."
Lingmerth shot a 4-under 68 to post 11-under 277. Tomasulo matched him there, then prevailed four holes later.
Both players had their chances to win in the playoff.
Tomasulo missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the first hole, then Lingmerth slid a 15-foot birdie putt for the win by the hole on the second.
At the par-5 ninth, the third playoff hole, Tomasulo missed a 5-foot birdie putt, so they were off to 18 again.
However, a quick thunderstorm stopped play for 25 minutes.
After the hiatus, Lingmerth found water off the tee and the tournament was Tomasulo's.
Richard Scott carded a 1-under 71 and took third at 10-under 278.
Scott Gardiner (66), Aaron Watkins (69), Morgan Hoffman (71), Derek Fathauer (71) and Chris Riley (72) tied for fourth place at 9-under 279.
It was a tough day for third-round leader Alistair Presnell. The Aussie recorded three double bogeys, three bogeys and three birdies for a 6-over 78 and a share of 21st at minus-5.
Tomasulo took command of the championship early.
After a birdie at the par-5 third, he birdied the fifth and was alone in the lead. Tomasulo birdied the next two and was one shot clear.
That birdie at No. 7 was the last of his round.
Tomasulo parred four in a row around the turn, then bogeyed the par-4 12th. He was still one stroke in front after a lot of turbulence below him on the leaderboard, but Lingmerth lurked.
The Swede made the turn at 3-under par thanks to four birdies and a lone bogey at the third. Lingmerth birdied 10 and 14 to get to 12-under par, but was still one back.
He bogeyed the par-3 16th as well, but thanks to Tomasulo's late stumbles, he found himself in the playoff.
It was there where Tomasulo picked up the win.
NOTES: Tomasulo pocketed $99,000 for the victory...This was the first year of the event...Tee times were moved up on the weekend due to the heat...The Web.com Tour moves to Utah in two weeks for the Utah Championship at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy, where J.J. Killeen captured the 2011 tournament.
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