KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Peter Malnati won the News Sentinel Open on Sunday for his first Web.com Tour title, birdieing five of the last seven holes for a one-stroke victory.
Malnati, a former University of Missouri player from Dandridge, Tenn., closed with a 5-under 65 for a 16-under 268 total at Fox Den Country Club. He earned $99,000 to jump from 80th to 16th on the money list with $155,917 in seven starts, assuring him of PGA Tour playing privileges in the 2013-14 season.
"I've worked really hard and I love doing this," Malnati said. "The only thing that stresses me out is wondering am I going to have to play mini tours next year? And the answer to that is no."
James White, Miguel Angel Carballo, Matt Bettencourt and Blayne Barber tied for second. White had a 66, Carballo and Bettencourt shot 67, and Barber finished with a 68.
