US PGA Tour rookie George McNeill fired a five-under-par 67 on Sunday to capture his first career victory at the US$4 million Frys.com Open with a 23-under total of 264.
McNeill, 32, posted a four-stroke victory over D.J. Trahan, who played with McNeill in the final group and carded a six-under 66 for 268.
Cameron Beckman carded a 68 and Robert Garrigus a 70 to finish tied for third on 272.
McNeill, who made nine attempts at Q-School before capturing his card last year by earning medalist honors, pocketed US$720,000.
'special'
"To even think about having to go back to tour school and to do this is pretty special," said McNeill, whose previous best finish was a tie for third at the Canadian Open.
"I feel good with everything that went on this week, and hopefully I can continue," he said.
McNeill was quick out of the blocks with birdies at two of his first three holes.
He picked up four more strokes on the back nine, and the only blemish on his card was a bogey at the last.
Trahan tried to apply some pressure, opening his round with four straight birdies.
not enough
He nabbed three more birdies and just one bogey the rest of the way, but couldn't come up with enough to overtake McNeill, who started the day with a five-shot lead over Trahan and Garrigus.
While McNeill was happy to have the pressure of securing his playing privileges relieved, he said he hoped to build on the victory rather than rest on it.
"In the sense that know I have a job for the next two years, that takes the pressure off," McNeill said. "But there's a lot of things on the tour and with my own game that I want to accomplish."
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