RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico - Rafael Gomez stumbled home with a 4-over 76 but hung on to win the Canadian Tour's US$100,000 Iberostar Riviera Maya Open by one stroke over Antonio Maldonado on Sunday.
Gomez started the day with a six shot lead but double-bogeyed the final hole.
Scott Gibson fired a 70 to grab third, one ahead of American John Douma who had a 69.
Sharing fifth spot were Brock Mackenzie (67) and David Jackson who had a 72.
Hoyt McGarity shot his second consecutive 69 to grab a share of seventh along with Paulo Pinto (69) and Liam Kendregan who fired a 71.
"This is a big win for me and a real confidence booster going into Q-School," said Gomez, who took home $16,000 and his second Canadian Tour title of the season.
"It was difficult to start with such a big lead. I have had big leads to start last rounds before, but not this big."
It showed. He staggered out of the gate with back-to-back bogeys but with Maldonado bogeying the second, the lead was still five.
Righting the ship, Gomez birdied four and five but stumbled again with bogeys at eight and nine, cutting the lead to four at the turn.
Maldonado then sliced the lead to three with a birdie at ten but it jumped to five with a Gomez birdie and Maldonado bogey at No. 13.
"I played conservatively all day and even though Antonio (Maldonado) was getting a bit closer in the middle of the round, I wasn't too worried," said Gomez.
"He was the one who had to get aggressive, not me."
