Boo Weekley spectacularly chipped in to save par on the last two holes and claim his maiden PGA Tour victory by a shot at the weather-delayed Heritage Classic in Hilton Head, South Carolina, on Monday.
Two off the leaders after Saturday's third round, the 33-year-old American carded a three-under-par 68 at the Harbor Town Golf Links for a 14-under total of 270.
Boosted by an eagle at the par-five fifth, Weekley overhauled early pacesetter Stephen Leaney of Australia before producing his dramatic finish over the wind-swept closing stretch.
PHOTO: AP
World No. 5 Ernie Els birdied the last for a 70 and second place at 13 under, one stroke better than Leaney, who double-bogeyed the par-four 16th on his way to a 68.
US Ryder Cup player Vaughn Taylor parred the final four holes for a 70 as winds gusted up to 50kph to share fourth place at 10 under with fellow American Kevin Na (73).
Former Nationwide Tour regular Weekley, who lost out in a four-way playoff for last month's Honda Classic, was almost at a loss for words after securing the winner's check for US$972,000.
"This is unreal. It's unreal," Weekley said after watching Els narrowly fail to eagle the par-four 18th to force a playoff. "Back-to-back chip-ins. I just thank the good Lord they went in."
Weekley, who bogeyed 16 for his lead to be trimmed to one, chipped in from 12m from behind the green on the par-three 17th and from 10m at the last after his third shot ended up in fluffy rough to the front of the green.
"Sixteen, 17 and 18 are probably the most difficult I've played in a while," he added. "I had to work real hard at it. I beat the golf course."
The smooth-swinging Els, in the right rough off the 18th tee, struck a superb six-iron approach to within two feet of the flag to set up his fifth birdie of the round.
Hunting his first PGA Tour title since the 2004 WGC-American Express Championship, Els trailed Weekley by a stroke with two holes to play but bogeyed the 17th after his tee shot into the wind ended up in reeds behind the green.
"I'm obviously disappointed, but I played well the last four holes," the three-times major winner said. "I knew it was going to be tough over the last stretch because of the breeze, but I kept the ball in play most of the way. I didn't win, but this is a step in the right direction."
For much of the final round, Leaney appeared to be on track for a breakthrough victory on the PGA Tour.
Bidding to become the fifth Australian to triumph at the Heritage, the 38-year-old charged one shot clear after a sizzling front nine of six-under 30 that included an eagle at the par-five second.
After briefly surrendering the lead to Weekley with a bogey on 13, Leaney drew level by rolling in a monster birdie putt from 21m at the par-three 14th.
But the Australian dropped three shots over the next two holes, hitting his approach into a tree and out of bounds on 16, as he slipped back into third place.
"To be honest, I really executed everything the way that I wanted to today," Leaney said. "It's such a hard golf course, and the wind blowing the way it was on the last three holes, I was just happy to make par the last two holes."
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