Bertsch wins BMW Charity Pro-Am

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. - Shane Bertsch overcame a 12-stroke deficit Sunday to win the BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs, shooting a 7-under 65 to beat Bubba Watson and Charley Hoffman by a stroke in the rain-shortened tournament.

Bertsch played the Cliffs Valley course after opening with rounds of 69 at Walnut Cove and 68 at Keowee Vineyards in the Pebble Beach-style event. He holed an 18-foot birdie putt on his final hole to finish at 12-under 202.

"This feels so good," Bertsch said. "It's a weird game. If you would have seen be Tuesday you would have said there's no way this guy can win here."

Bertsch won 2000 event, called the Upstate Classic and played at Verdae Greens, for his only other Nationwide Tour title.

"I've been close since then," Bertsch said. "I can't believe I haven't won since 2000. I had four or five chances to win last year. but I just couldn't get it done. I'm a Colorado boy. I guess I like the mountains around here.

The 35-year-old Bertsch earned $112,500 to jump from 16th to second on the money list with $158,819. The top 20 at the end of the season will earn 2006 PGA Tour cards.

"It's nice to get a big chunk out of the way this week," said Bertsch, 25th on the money list last year. "It takes some pressure off for the rest of the season."

Watson shot a 71 at Cliffs Valley, and Hoffman had a 68 at Walnut Cove. Mathew Goggin, the second-round leader, had a 76 at Walnut Cove to tie for ninth at 7 under.