Bertsch takes Rust-Oleum title

Jun 14, 2015 - 11:38 PM Westlake, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Shane Bertsch used a 5-under 66 in Sunday's final round to pull away from the pack and win by a shot at the Rust-Oleum Championship.

Bertsch finished the week at 18-under-par 266 and picked up his third career victory on the Web.com Tour. His other two wins were at the BMW Charity Pro- Am in 2000 and 2005.

"I didn't play too good here last year, but it's definitely a course that suits me and I came in swinging well," said Bertsch. "This week, I don't know if I've ever felt so calm on the course. I had a great practice week last week with my coach."

Lucas Lee carded a 6-under 65 at Lakewood Country Club and he finished alone in second at 17-under 267. Patton Kizzire (67) and Michael Kim (68) ended one shot further back and tied for third at minus-16.

Second- and third-round leader Peter Malnati shot a 1-over 72. He tied for fifth at 14-under 270 with Brian Richey (69).

The front nine is where Bertsch really made his push that wound up winning him the tournament. Beginning the day two shots back of the leader Malnati, Bertsch used a string of four birdies in five holes from No. 3 to move into the lead.

Around the turn, Bertsch held a 1-shot lead. After playing his first seven holes at 1-under with two birdies and a bogey on six, Lee went on a huge run that ultimately pulled him even with Bertsch.

Lee ran off five birdies in six holes from eight, including four straight from 10, which got him up to minus-17.

That share of the lead did not last long as Bertsch came through with another gain at the par-4 13th, pushing him up a shot to 18-under. At the same time, Lee's birdie run came to an abrupt halt with a double-bogey at the par-5 14th. That gave Bertsch a 2-shot lead over a couple players.

Then more rain came through the area that forced a delay of about two and a half hours. Weather delayed play on both Friday and Saturday as well.

When play resumed, Lee went on to birdie his final two holes to pull within one of Bertsch. All he could do then was watch as Bertsch finished up with five straight pars from 14 to seal his victory.

"I planned on playing every single thing and I'll probably still play most tournaments, but at least I've achieved a goal for next year," Bertsch stated. "I knew I could get back out to the PGA Tour. I've been real close the last two years and I'm glad I've got it done halfway through the year now."

NOTES: Bertsch's best finish of the season prior to this victory was a tie for third at the Panama Claro Championship. He also tied for sixth at the BMW Charity Pro-Am as his other top-10 finish ... Bertsch earned $108,000 with this victory ... The Web.com Tour takes a week off before returning for the Air Capital Classic, where Sebastian Cappelen won in his first professional start last season.