Oklahoma State University Athletics
Peter Uihlein Earns First Professional Victory
May 19, 2013 | Cowboy Golf
May 19, 2013
SANTO ANTONIO DA SERRA, Portugal - Former Oklahoma State All-American and 2010 U.S. Amateur Champion Peter Uihlein notched his first career win as a professional after finishing two strokes clear of the field at the European Tour's Madeira Islands Open at the Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra on Sunday.
Making just his 16th career start on the European Tour, Uihlein closed with a 68 to finish at 15-under 273 and two shots clear of Morten Ørum Madsen. Uihlein began the day a stroke back and made the turn at even par before catching fire on his back nine.
After birdies at the 11th, 12th and 13th, he added another at the 16th for an inward nine of 32 to sew up the win.
"I'm just thrilled. To do it playing well on the back nine, coming down the stretch, is sweet. I know Morten played a heck of a round and Mark played really well so it was nice to come out on top.," Uihlein said. "I just knuckled down I guess. It was all putting that did it today, I was just trying to free up and they started to roll in so it was nice."
"I hit some good putts coming down the stretch."
He posted scores of 72, 64 and 69 to go with his 4-under 68 closing round en route to his final tally.
In addition to his ?100,000 in winnings, Uihlein moved inside the top 150 in the Official World Golf Ranking from No. 246. He also gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2014 season.
Uihlein's victory gave him his third top 10 on Tour this year after he tied for eighth at the Open de España and a fourth-place showing at the 2013 Tshwane Open.
His victory also marked the first time an American has won a regular European Tour event since former Cowboy Bo Van Pelt won the 2012 ISPS Handa Perth International.
