pebble beach invitational

JOHN Mallinger won the Pebble Beach Invitational golf, making birdies on four of the last six holes for a four-under 68 and a two-stroke victory over Jason Gore.

Mallinger, who lost his fully exempt PGA Tour status after finishing 133rd on the money-list, made a 25ft birdie putt on the 18th to finish at 15-under 273 in the event featuring 76 male and female players.

“I putted well today and putted well all week,” said Mallinger, who has eight top-three finishes but is winless since joining the PGA Tour in 2006. “I love Pebble Beach. It’s tough to beat Pebble Beach.”

Gore, who will join Mallinger in the PGA Tour’s final qualifying tournament, closed with a bogey-free 65.

Pat Perez (65) and Champions Tour player Russ Cochran (71) tied for third at 11-under. Annika Sorenstam, completing her first 72-hole tournament since her LPGA Tour retirement in 2008, shot a 73 to finish at three-under.

John Mallinger will head to the upcoming PGA Tour Q-School Finals with a victory at world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links in tow.

Mallinger, who finished at No. 133 on this year's PGA Tour money list, birdied four of his final six holes Sunday, including the 18th, shooting a 4-under 68, to hold off a hard-charging Jason Gore and win the 39th annual Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational.

Harbor High graduate Juli Inkster finished tied for 27th at 17 back after shooting 74 on Sunday. Santa Cruz native Isaac Weintraub finished with a 78 to finish 24 back.

Gore, who's also headed to the Q-School Finals after finishing 40th on this year's Nationwide Tour money list, shot a final round 65 to finish at 275, two behind Mallinger.

It's tough to beat Pebble Beach. Earlier, following a bogey on 10th hole, Mallinger had trailed Champions Tour member Russ Cochran, who began the day a stroke behind and was looking to become the first Champions Tour player to ever win the tournament, by one.

"It's about time he Mallinger won something here. Two-time LPGA Tour winner Morgan Pressel, who started the day four behind Mallinger and played in a unique three-tour final threesome with Mallinger and Cochran, shot a 72 to finish at 281, the lowest total of 13 LPGA entrants.

Legend Annika Sorenstam, playing in her first 72-hole event in two years, shot a final round 73 to finish tied for 12th at 285, 12 strokes behind Mallinger.

Tommy Armour III, who won the event in 2008 and 2009 while a member of the PGA Tour, is among eight Champions Tour entrants. Jamie Lovemark, the top money earner on this season's Nationwide Tour, will be among 17 Nationwide Tour entrants.