Taylor will keep his PGA Tour card

PALM COAST, Fla. --- Vaughn Taylor is glad he can enjoy Disney World without the possibility of losing his PGA Tour card hanging over his head.

The Evans resident didn't win Sunday's Ginn sur Mer Classic at the Ginn Ocean Hammock Resort Conservatory Course, but he got the next best thing: He was among a five-way tie for second at 6-under 282, one shot behind winner Ryan Palmer. Best of all, the $276,000 check he received bumped him from No. 129 on the money list to No. 100, and put his yearly earnings to $1,037,783, the fifth consecutive year he's cracked the $1 million mark.

The top 125 on the money list at season's end keep their Tour cards for the 2009 season.

Taylor had a chance to get to 7-under and force a playoff with Palmer at the par-5 18th hole. After finding the fairway, and laying up into the right rough, he hit a wedge shot from 143 yards onto the green, 9 feet, 6 inches from the hole. He missed the birdie attempt on the right edge and settled for his par to shoot a bogey-free 70.

He and the rest of the contenders -- there were seven tied for first at one point -- had to endure a rainy afternoon that began with a lightning delay at 12:45 p.m. Play wasn't resumed until 4 p.m.

There was one more delay of about 15 minutes, after Taylor had already driven at No. 18.

"It became a grind," he said.

Taylor said he was thankful he won't have to play this week's Children's Miracle Network Classic at Disney World with Tour card worries. "I didn't expect this position (outside the top 125 on the money list), but it's good to get the job done this week," he said.

Taylor began the day at 4-under, three shots behind Michael Letzig. He got an early birdie at No. 3, then made a series of up-and-down pars to remain in contention, including a chip-in for par at the par-4 fifth hole.

A short birdie putt at the par-3 12th pulled Taylor into a tie for the lead for the first time, a spot he did not relinquish until Palmer made a 10-foot birdie on the 18th hole, earning a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

Palmer, who was at No. 143 on the money list with two tournaments remaining, had to call a penalty on himself and made bogey on the 10th hole, then took double bogey on the next hole with a tee shot into the water.

But he rebounded with a birdie he desperately needed on the final hole at Ginn Ocean Hammock Resort for his second career victory.

"What a feeling ... what a week," said the 32-year-old Amarillo, Texas, native and Texas A&M graduate. "I kept grinding and grinding. I proved to myself that I can win out here under any kind of conditions or circumstances."

Letzig, the overnight leader after 54 holes, needed a birdie on the par-5 18th to force a playoff. But his wedge spun 35 feet down the slope and he had to settle for par and 73 to finish one shot behind.

Also tying for second were George McNeill, Nicholas Thompson and Ken Duke.

Former Louisville, Ga., resident Brian Gay shot a final-round 69 to finish 5-under for the tournament. Gay, who came into the week at No. 33 on the money list, earned enough to move into the top 30 with his tie for seventh.

If Gay can hold his position in the top 30 through the Disney tournament, he'll clinch his first berth into the Masters Tournament.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach Garry Smits at garry.smits@morris.com.