Beljan recovers, rejoices

Associated Press

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.

Charlie Beljan had no reason to panic Sunday. His wild week at Disney ended with a comfortable lead and his first PGA Tour victory.

What a turnaround in just two days.

Beljan struggled to breathe and his blood pressure spiked during the second round, which ended with him being wheeled out of the scoring room on a stretcher. He spent the night at the hospital. It turned out to be a panic attack that was out of control.

Beljan ran off four straight birdies around the turn and built a five-shot lead on the back nine. He closed with a bogey for a 3-under 69 and a two-shot win at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic.

“What a joy,” he said. “This is the greatest feeling ever.”

Beljan, who finished on 16-under 272, became the fourth rookie to win on tour this year.

Warren JFK graduate Jason Kokrak shot a 3- under Sunday to finish tied for 59th. He also secured his PGA Tour card for 2013 by finishing 119th in the final money list.