Jeff Gove wins Pebble Beach Invitational with strong finish

Web.com Tour player Jeff Gove won the Pebble Beach Invitational on Sunday, birdieing the final two holes for a 6-under 66 and a two-shot victory over Champions Tour players Kevin Sutherland and Duffy Waldorf.

Gove had seven birdies and a bogey at Pebble Beach to finish at 15-under 273 total.

''I felt in the moment all day,'' Gove said. ''I love this. I love the pressure of having a chance to win.''

Sutherland and Waldorf shot 67. Sutherland won in 2000 and finished third last year.

Gove broke a tie with Sutherland on the par-3 17th, hitting to 3 feet to set up a birdie. Gove hit his second shot on the par-5 18th to the back fringe, chipped to 7 feet and made the birdie putt.

''He hit an incredible shot on the 17th and I hit to about four feet, but the putt was so fast, I just kind of moved right a little bit,'' Sutherland said. ''I didn't play the last hole that well. I would have had to make eagle, but I hit a bad tee shot.''

With one-shot leading at the par-5 18th tee, Gove considered playing conservatively but didn't.

''When I birdied 17, I said `Oh my gosh, I've got a one-shot lead going to 18 at Pebble Beach, which is what I've thought about all my life,''' Gove aid. ''I thought about laying up, but I said, `No, we're going for this.'''

Natalie Gulbis had a 74 and was the leading female finisher at even-par 288. First-round leader Kim Welch disqualified herself after informing tournament officials she posted an incorrect second-round score.

Gove earned $60,000 in the $300,000 event.