By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Fil-American Rico Hoey carded an eagle-aided 5-under 67 to finish tied for sixth place in the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday, June 30, at the Detroit Golf Club in Michigan.
The Manila-born Hoey, who now plays for the Philippines, blasted an eagle 3 on the 17th hole after shooting five birdies against two bogeys to finish three strokes behind eventual champion Cam Davis.
He had a four-round total of 15-under 273 after earlier rounds of 69, 69 and 68, tying with Eric Cole, Erik van Rooyen and Cameron Young.
It was Hoey’s best performance and first Top 10 finish this season, eclipsing his previous best of a share of 14th place at the Valero Texas Open last April.
It also ended a string of heartaches for the 28-year-old Hoey after missing the cut in his last five tournaments including the US Open two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Davis closed with a 70 for a one-shot victory when Akshay Bhatia three-putted from 32 feet on the final hole for bogey.
Davis, who won his first PGA Tour title three years ago, pulled into a tie with Bhatia with a birdie on the par-5 17th hole. It proved to be enough when Bhatia’s 4-foot putt for par on the 18th fell short for his first three-putt of the week.
Davis finished at 18-under 270 while Bhatia and Aaron Rai, who shot identical 72, tied for second along with Davis Thompson (68) and Min Woo Lee (69).
The 22-year-old Bhatia was seeking his third PGA Tour title and second this year after leading or sharing the lead after each of the first three rounds.
