Atwal slumps in final round, ends tied 51st in Funai Classic

Florida, Oct 23 (UNI) Things went horribly wrong for Arjun Atwal as he put up his worst show of the week to card a three-over 75 to finish tied 51st at the 4.6 million dollar Funai Classic here.

Atwal stumbled to five birdies and a double-bogey against five birdies to end the tournament on a disappointing note after being tied 14th in the penultimate round.

However, despite the horrendous show in the final round, the Orlando-based Indian -- playing at the Magnolia Course in the two-course event -- finished with a total of 10-under 278.

Atwal had an ominous start as he stumbled to a third hole bogey but evened it out with a birdie on the very next hole. However, the former Asian Tour regular was in for an eventful time after that as he hit two bogeys, with a birdie in between, from the sixth to ninth hole.

Making the turn at one-over, the slide continued for Atwal as he stumbled to a triple-bogey on the 10th. The Indian then went on damage control mode and gained two shots on the 12th and 14th to arrest the slide but the recovery did not last long and a 16th hole bogey once again pulled him back.

Atwal hit a birdie on the 17th but ended on a disappointing note with a bogey on the 18th.

At the top, American Joe Durrant (65) overtook overnight leader and compatriot Troy Matteson (70), who finished tied second, to claim the title with a total of 25-under 263. Durrant finished three shots clear off Matteson.

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