Gore Wins His Way Back to PGA Tour

U.S. Open fan favorite Jason Gore earned an immediate promotion to the PGA Tour on Sunday, winning a Nationwide Tour-record third straight title by beating Roger Tambellini on the second playoff hole at the Cox Classic.

Gore, 31, made eight straight birdies in a final-round eight-under 63 to rally from a four-shot deficit. He rolled in a three-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to beat Tambellini and became the seventh golfer to earn an immediate pass onto the PGA Tour.

Gore placed second in a qualifier and captured the hearts of fans by playing his way into the last group for the final round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. But he struggled to a 14-over 84 and a 49th-place finish.

Now, he’s headed back to the top circuit.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Gore, who earned $112,500 for his sixth career Nationwide title. “It’s been a hard battle. Six months ago, I was ready to hang it up. It shows you golf is a great game.”

Gore finished at 23-under 261 along with Tambellini (64).