GREER, S.C. (AP) -David Mathis won the BMW Charity Pro-Am on Sunday for his first Nationwide Tour title, closing with a 3-under 68 for a three-stroke victory over Roger Tambellini, while Wayne Gretzky teamed with Chris Nallen to win the Pro-Am title.
The 34-year-old Mathis told his wife at the start of the week that he thought he was going to win.
``I just felt like I was going to win,'' Mathis said. ``I've gone into weeks where I was playing well enough to win, but this week felt different. I thought if I made the shots I needed to make and hole some putts that I'd be in this spot.''
He finished at 20-under 266 and earned $121,500 and a BMW X5. He jumped from 44th to fourth on the money list with $166,479, with the top 25 at the end of the year earning 2009 PGA Tour cards.
``It's everything I imagined,'' Mathis said. ``I never thought it wouldn't happen. I thought my game was progressing and I could see improvement in my game. That helped me a great deal with my confidence.''
Mathis opened with a 65 at The Carolina Country Club, shot another 65 on Friday at Bright's Creek Golf Club, then closed with consecutive 68s at the Thornblade Club.
Tambellini finished with a 65.
Gretzky and Nallen shot 59-59-60-62 to finish the better-ball competition at 46 under, two shots ahead of musician Javier Colon and Colt Knost.
``I had a blast. I played with the best hockey player ever,'' said Nallen, a New York Rangers fan who tied for 18th in the regular tournament. ``I left a few shots out there but overall I'm very pleased with the way we played.''
Gretzky earned a BMW Z4 and will have $10,000 donated to the charity of his choice. He remains one win behind his wife, Janet Jones-Gretzky, who has twice been the low celebrity over the past four years.
``No. No bragging rights,'' Gretzky said. ``We weren't playing to win, we were just playing to have fun. This is a great tournament and we're looking forward to next year.''
