Scott Verplank used three straight birdies and Luke Donald's lead-blowing double bogey on Sunday to take the lead and then take the Byron Nelson Championship, the tournament he always wanted to win.
Verplank, as a teenager growing up in Dallas, got to play several rounds with Nelson.
After holing a final 2-foot par putt at No. 18 for a one-stroke victory, Verplank dropped into a squat and looked skyward with smile on his face. He pumped his left fist triumphantly into the air.
"Byron meant too much to me," Verplank said. "To be from Dallas and win this is unbelievable."
Sadly missing for Verplank was a personal congratulation from Nelson, who died last September at age 94. But Nelson's wife, Peggy, was there clutching one of his famed fedoras in her hand when she hugged Verplank.
"Byron would be very, very happy for Scott. I am, too," Peggy Nelson said. "The friendship they had, it's great to see it culminate this way."
In 1968, Nelson became the first golfer to have a US PGA Tour event named after him and he would always greet players finishing their rounds at the 18th green before taking part in the trophy presentation.
Verplank closed with a 4-under-66 for a 13-under 267 total, a stroke ahead of Donald (68) for his fifth US PGA Tour victory, his first since the 2001 Canadian Open. Phil Mickelson (65), Jerry Kelly (64), Rory Sabbatini (64) and Ian Poulter (66) tied for third at 10 under.
Clinging to a one-stroke lead, Verplank hit his tee shot at the 196-yard 17th hole into a bunker far away on the side opposite the hole. But he saved par -- and the long-desired championship -- after blasting to less than 2 feet.
Verplank and Donald both had pars at No. 18 after both slid similar 10-foot birdie attempts past the hole.
This victory was much more valuable to Verplank than the US$1.134 million check and a custom-made motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers.
It was the 21st Nelson tournament for the 42-year-old Verplank, who considers the event his fifth major because of the man for which it's named -- and the legendary golfer who used to write him encouraging notes. Verplank was once a standard bearer at the tournament.
RSS