New Durham, NH---Two-time defending New England PGA player of the year Ron Philo made a strong case for a third consecutive honor at this week's New England Open, where he held off CGTer Brian Lamberti for a two-stroke victory and $40,000 payday, the largest in the region outside of the PGA Tour's pair of events.

Philo, who finished 66th in the PGA Championship at Baltusrol (his seventh major championship appearance), closed with a 2-under-par 70 and finished 13-under at the par 72 Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. Lamberti began the final round five strokes behind Philo, and fired a 5-under 67 to claim solo second honors.

Nick Cook also with closed with 67 and finished tied for third with Corey Brigham and Drew Mayhew at 10-under.

Mayhew more than justified his Wild Card exemption ( Video I   Video II), which he received from Tour Director Andrew Dearborn based on his steadily improving play and commitment to the Tour. His third place showing marked his best finish in New England this season, trumping a T6th at the Cape Cod Open and a 9th at LeBaron.

First round co-leader Todd Vernon carded bookend 66s, both of which tied the course record. His second round 75 was just too much to overcome, and he finished solo sixth at 9-under.

Marc Lawless tied for seventh with Geoff Sisk at 8-under, and prolonged a hot stretch that includes six top 10s in as many events, including his first ever win at the Blackstone National Open.

CGT money leader Rob Oppenheim began Thursday's final round 1-over, but sprang up the leaderboard with a closing 66 to tie Vernon for low round of the day and finish ninth.

The Tour now travels to Rockport, Maine for the Samoset Open. The first round begins Thursday, Sept. 22.

Concurrently, PGA Tour Qualifying School begins Sept. 20, with the first year of its 72-hole, pre-qualifying stage at sites in Arizona and South Carolina. Among the field of hopefuls, Noah Zelnik, who caught up with CGT TV to discuss his game and outlook heading into the annual Fall Classic.  Video I   Video II

The following clips are the first in a series of previews that will be displayed once the first stage of PGA Tour Q School begins Oct. 11.

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