LV’s May finally breaks into win column

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1999 | 11:40 a.m.

If patience is a virtue then European PGA Tour player Bob May is more than a saint.

He's an angel.

May is one of 144 players competing at the $2.5 million Las Vegas Invitational that starts on Wednesday.

After finishing second an amazing 22 times by his count since turning professional in 1992, May finally walked down the aisle and consummated his seven-year union as a pro with a victory three weeks ago at the British Masters.

It wasn't a routine win, either.

Think dunking over Michael Jordan in game seven of the NBA Finals to lead your team to victory. Think rallying from two sets down to Pete Sampras in the finals of Wimbledon to win your first Grand Slam.

The Las Vegas resident shot a 5-under 67 for a 19-under 269 total that was enough to edge Colin Montgomerie, who shot a 71 for a 270 total.

Heading into the final round, May was three shots in back of Montgomerie.

While May has struggled in finals, Montgomerie has 27 career victories and was trying for a record-tying sixth European tour win of the season at the British Masters.

"It was kind of like, to me, a dream come true to win a tournament like that being that Colin Montgomerie is the third-ranked player in the world," May said. "He had a three-shot lead and it's something you dream about, to come from behind and beat one of the world's best players.

"It'd be like coming here to the states and beating Tiger Woods or Davis Love III."

Soon, May might get that opportunity as well.

May, who is based at Red Rock Country Club, played on the PGA Tour in 1994 and has spent the last four years on the European PGA Tour.

By winning the British Masters, he validated his career and earned the right to skip the early rounds of qualifying school. He will only have to play in the final qualifying tournament to regain his PGA Tour card.

"Definitely a weight was lifted off my shoulders," May said. "It's important to me.

"I've always wanted to win a tournament. I had chances and played good and had it taken away from me. Now I've already won, I don't have to listen to being a bridesmaid again."

His success was helped along by new caddie Max Cunningham and perhaps a few trinkets from a couple of good friends.

May said Keith Flatt, head pro at Los Prados Golf & Country Club, gave him a buffalo head nickel. Another friend, Ray Norvell gave him a gold-plated Susan B. Anthony coin that he has carried with him for the last three years.

"Those two I keep in my pocket," May said. "Another friend gave me a solid gold coin I keep in my bag.

"They finally all worked."

May should have rubbed them a little harder last week at the Alfred Dunhill Cup, where his four-day total was 6-over-par 294.

He hopes to play better here this week.

"Everything seems to be working pretty well right now."