Paul Casey rose to third place in the world rankings and surged to the top of the European tour’s money list after winning the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, England, on Sunday.
The Englishman got up and down from a greenside bunker on the last to win by one shot from compatriot Ross Fisher, who started the day four shots back and almost closed the gap with a fine 64.
That forced Casey to birdie both the closing par fives but he held his nerve to pocket a winner’s check for 750,000 euros (US$1 million).
PHOTO: REUTERS
Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen finished in third place, four shots behind Casey after a closing 69.
It was Casey’s third win of the year following his victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship in January and maiden win on the US tour at the Houston Open last month.
■BYRON NELSON
REUTERS, IRVING, TEXAS
South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini withstood a late charge from Briton Brian Davis to clinch a two-stroke victory at the US$6.5 million Byron Nelson Championship on Sunday.
Joint leader overnight, Sabbatini carded a six-under 64 at the Four Seasons TPC to finish with a tournament record 19-under-par 261 and US$1,152,000 for his fifth PGA Tour victory.
Sabbatini, who also won the Colonial Invitational made famous by another American great and five-time winner Ben Hogan at nearby Fort Worth two years ago, was pushed all the way by runner-up Davis.
The Englishman also carded a sizzling 64 to finish 17-under, with American journeyman D.A. Points a further stroke adrift.
After three consecutive birdies on the ninth, 10th and 11th holes, 34-year-old Davis pulled within a stroke of Sabbatini.
But the South African crushed the uprising, notching three straight birdies from 15 to 17 to ensure the victory and render a final-hole bogey harmless.
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