News: Nationwide Tour

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. — Jonas Blixt had the luxury of entering this week knowing that his 2012 PGA TOUR card was locked up. What was missing from his season, though, was a win.

Blixt kept grinding for that elusive win all the way to Sunday. He charged early with three consecutive birdies on Nos. 5-7, but unfortunately some bogeys on the back kept him from putting pressure on eventual champion Ken Duke.

And while he’s disappointed on some levels, Blixt is proud of his third season on the Nationwide Tour.

“I learned a lot this year. That’s the most important thing,” he said. “Of course I’m disappointed I didn’t get a win. I had a lot of opportunities this year, and I probably should have seized at least two of them.”

Most recently he finished runner-up at the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open. “I felt like I gave that one away a little bit.

“I look at more of the progress. I’ve been playing solid all year — since Columbus — and I’m happy about that,” he said.

While Blixt was all smiles, his countryman David Lingmerth was less so. During most of Lingmerth’s final round he was projecting to finish inside The 25. A few bogeys on the back ended his chances. He finished the year 27th on the money list. Blixt was there when he finished his round.

“I feel really horrible for David right now,” he said. “I wanted him to do well. I feel for him now.”

Despite missing out on his card, Lingmerth will be exempt into the final round of q-school.

For Blixt, he now looks forward to the PGA TOUR, and maybe finally getting that first professional win.

“It’s a weird feeling. It really is because you always wanted to do this and now it’s here,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to sink in until I get to Hawaii to be honest with you.”

And his goals at that point? “Hopefully I can win one of [the tournaments] and then play Augusta in the beginning of the year.”