Lovemark wins Midwest Classic by one over Anderson, his second title

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Jamie Lovemark won the Midwest Classic on Sunday for his second Web.com Tour title, holing a 15-foot par putt on the final hole for a 5-under 66 and a one-stroke victory. 

The 25-year-old Lovemark finished at 18-under 266 at Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate and earned $108,000 to jump from 76th to 14th on the money list with $149,983. He also won the tour's 2010 Mexico Open and was the 2007 NCAA champion as a freshman at Southern California. 

Mark Anderson was second after a 65. Matt Davidson and third-round leader Chesson Hadley tied for third at 16 under. Davidson shot 66, and Hadley had a 70. 

Lovemark birdied Nos. 15 and 16 and made the key par putt on No. 18 after hitting his 9-iron approach into a greenside bunker. After blasting out and waiting for playing partner Hadley to putt, Lovemark calmly stepped up and knocked in his putt, ending any chance for a playoff with Anderson. 

"That was a big bunker shot for me at No. 18 and I don't recall ever making a putt to win like that," Lovemark said. "It's one of those putts you practice when fooling around and telling yourself, `This is to win the British Open.' It felt really good to make it." 

Lovemark had back surgery in August 2011 and returned full time last season, splitting time between the PGA TOUR and the Web.com Tour. 

"It feels great to be playing well again and this win is a huge relief for me," Lovemark said. "It was nice to finally put four good rounds together." 

Anderson finished two groups ahead of Lovemark. 

"I played well today and it was nice to make birdies coming in on Nos. 17 and 18," said Anderson, the BMW Charity Classic winner this year. "The course played easier because it was a lot softer, but I put myself in position and I couldn't ask for anything more than that."