Bowditch brilliance to win Byron Nelson

Australia’s Steven Bowditch fired a closing round of 64 to win the AT&T Byron Nelson by four shots from Americans Charley Hoffman, Scott Pinckney and Jimmy Walker.

Australia’s Steven Bowditch fired a closing round of 64 to win the AT&T Byron Nelson by four shots from Americans Charley Hoffman, Scott Pinckney and Jimmy Walker.

On a rain-shortened course, Bowditch had an incredible 27-birdies en-route to posting a four-round total of 18-under-par. It was a second PGA Tour title for the Australian, both of them coming in Texas (the other being the 2014 Valero Texas Open.)

Bowditch held the 54-lead but briefly relinquished his position at the top of the board when Dustin Johnson passed him early in the final round with two birdies in his first three. But an ugly eight at the par-4 6th did for Johnson’s chances – he fell back into an eventual tie for eighth.

Bowditch had built a three-shot lead by the time he reached the dangerous par-3 17th and, although his body language suggested his tee shot might be in trouble, it landed safely on the putting surface and he rolled home the putt for a birdie and an unassailable advantage.

“Pretty surreal feeling,” said Bowditch who was married next to TPC Four Seasons and had wedding photos taken on the 18th green. “Taking photos on the green today was definitely the second best time I’ve had on that green.”

Jimmy Walker also took the lead briefly on the front nine, but bogeys on the 11th and 12th halted him in his tracks.

Charley Hoffman closed with a 65 to move up into a tie for second with Walker and Scott Pinckney. He came back in just 29 shots with five birdies on the run for home.

Hometown favourite Jordan Spieth opened with a birdie to give the spectators hope of a last round charge. But the 21-year-old gave the shot back on the next hole and couldn’t threaten through the remainder of the round. He finished in a tie for 30th place.

AT&T Byron Nelson TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas May 28-31 Purse: $7,100,000, par 69

1    Steven Bowditch (Aus)    62    68    65    64    259    $1,278,000 T2    Charley Hoffman (USA)    69    65    64    65    263    $530,133 T2    Scott Pinckney (USA)    69    64    64    66    263    $550,133 T2    Jimmy Walker (USA)    64    66    67    66    263    $550,133 5    Zach Johnson (USA)    69    64    68    63    264    $284,000 T6    Jon Curran (USA)        67    63    67    68    265    $246,725 T6    Brandt Snedeker (USA)    71    66    64    64    265    $246,725 T8    Jason Dufner (USA)    71    64    64    66    266    $213,000 T8    Dustin Johnson (USA)    67    68    62    69    266    $213,000

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage