Rick Price wins Xerox Classic

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Rick Price won his first Nationwide Tour title Sunday, shooting a 1-over 71 for a one-stroke victory over Monday qualifier Andrew Pratt in the inaugural Xerox Classic.

"I was comfortable out there today," the 37-year-old Price said. "I kept plodding along the golf course. I think this validates all the hard work."

Price earned $99,000 to jump from 117th to 26th on the money list with $121,250. The top 20 at the end of the season will earn 2006 PGA Tour cards.

The former Methodist College player, tied for the lead with Todd Pinneo after three rounds, finished with an 11-under 269 total. Price hit all 14 fairways in regulation Sunday on the Donald Ross-designed Irondequoit Country Club course.

"At the beginning of the week I thought this looked like it was made for me," Price said. "Because of the tightness there's really no huge advantage of being a long hitter because there's no place to hit it."

Pratt also shot a 71.

David McKenzie (68), Jeff Quinney (70) and Scott Gardiner (71) finished two strokes back at 9 under, Ahmad Bateman (65) was 8 under, and Pinneo (75) was another stroke back along with Brent Schwarzrock (71), Kim Felton (71) and Eric Axley (73).