Gig Harbor’s Kyle Stanley gets his first PGA Tour win after a week of heartache

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Updated: March 4, 2012

At the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines near San Diego, Gig Harbor native Kyle Stanley seemed on his way to the winner’s circle. But something happened along the way. Stanley tripled-bogeyed the final hole and then lost in a playoff to Brandt Snedeker.

But a week later, Stanley proved that he could come right back, winning the Waste Management Open at the TPC Scottsdale. This time it was Stanley, who came back. He made up an eight-shot deficit to win the title as third round leader Spencer Levin faltered down the stretch.

Stanley, who attended Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma before heading to Clemson, made the third-largest rally in PGA Tour history by coming from eight shots off the pace to win the $1 million first-place check. Stanley also vaulted into the lead in the FedEx Cup standings with the win.

“Playing from behind was quite a bit easier,” said the 24-year-old Stanley, who works with teaching professional Todd Erwin who works at Tacoma Firs Golf Range.