Australia's Porter wins Nationwide Tour's South Georgia Classic

FROM THE PGA.COM WEBSITE
Australian Ewan Porter figured out a way to keep his emotions in check and it paid off with his second career win on the Nationwide Tour. Porter fired a final-round, 2-under-par 70 and won the rain-delayed South Georgia Classic by one shot over second-year pro Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela.
Porter finished four trips around the Kinderlou Forest Golf Club at 11-under 277, one better than Vegas, who refused to fold under Sunday's back-nine pressure. Veteran Brandt Jobe closed with a 69 to wind up at 9-under and solo third while Canadian David Hearn, who held the outright led after each of the first three rounds, shot a 2-over 74 and wound up fourth.
"I'm absolutely stunned to have done this," said Porter, who had missed all four cuts on Tour this year. "To be honest, I didn't expect too much this week. This is totally unexpected. It's overwhelming. This is a huge step forward in my career."
Playing in the final threesome with Hearn and Vegas, Porter made up a one-stroke deficit on Hearn with a birdie on the second hole and hovered near the lead for a few holes before taking command with birdies at Nos. 8, 10 and 11 to go up by three.
"The putt on eight was a big one," said Porter of the 30-footer. "I was just trying to lag it down there close. And then the chip-in on 10 was the same thing, I was just trying to get it up there close. I played with Jhonattan the last 36 holes and I tried not to let his length intimidate me. I knew that if I could just keep it in play I'll be able to handle it."
Porter handled it just fine, making clutch pars and only one bogey down the stretch.
"I feel a little more comfortable on the back nine here. I can just picture the shots better," said Porter. "Those last five holes, my comfort level allowed me to open up my shoulders and relax a bit."
Vegas had a couple of chances but couldn't get the putts to fall. Hearn was the victim of a couple of loose shots and failed to put any hard pressure on the Aussie.
"I definitely felt the pressure down the stretch," said Porter. "I didn't want to play another hole that's for sure. My heart rate was way too high and I could feel the collar getting a little tight. It was a wonderful battle with them today and I was fortunate to come out on top."
The key to Porter's win came on the greens, where he finished second in putting. It was quite a turnaround from a week ago when he missed the cut in Shanghai, China.
"I have to be honest, I hit the ball ten times better last week," he said. "My putting was absolutely amazing. Last week I putted like Stevie Wonder and this week I putted like Brad Faxon."
Porter finished off the win with a steady, two-putt par from 25 on the 72nd hole. Not bad for a guy who wasn't sure if he'd wind up playing this Tour or one back home.
Porter has had a tumultuous last few months. Plans to settle in West Palm Beach with his girlfriend fell through at the last minute when a job for her didn't materialize. After missing the cut in Shanghai, he flew to South Florida to clean out his apartment. He arrived in South Georgia on Wednesday night and teed it up without the benefit of a practice round.
"It's definitely amazing when you don't throw clubs and don't get ahead of yourself," said Porter. "It's a big lesson learned in terms of demeanor and such and I've still got a lot to learn."