Scott Brown shot a final-round 70 to win the Puerto Rico Open by one shot from Fabian Gomez and Jordan Spieth at the Trump International Golf Club.
Brown, who lost his PGA Tour card after finishing 148th on the money list in 2012, now has a two-year exemption on the top-tier circuit.
It was also his first victory on the PGA Tour and by far the biggest win of his career. His three previous professional victories came on the little-known eGolf tour in 2009.
Brown has now earned an exemption for both the Players Championship and the PGA Championship in August.
The American posted rounds of 68, 63 and 67 to head into the final round tied for the lead with Gomez, who fired a third-round 65.
Standing on the 72nd tee, the Argentine held a slender one-shot advantage. He hit a perfect drive, but things soon started to go wrong.
He found a tough tie in a bunker after a wayward second, hit his third into another bunker over the green and missed a 15-foot par putt.
His playing partner subsequently knocked in his four-foot birdie putt to round-off the best week of his golfing career.
Spieth, who made a costly bogey at the 16th, finished in second alongside Gomez, with Justin Bolli and Brian Stuard a shot further back in a tie for fourth.
Former American Amateur champion Peter Uihlein eagled the last hole to finish in a tie for sixth.
"I thought I would need an eagle as well as he was playing," Brown said. "So I just stayed aggressive.
"I was nervous over that last putt. As a kid growing up in Georgia, this is a dream come true."
Brown became the fourth first-time winner on the PGA Tour this season, following Russell Henley, John Merrick and Michael Thompson.
Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com Trump International Golf Club, Puerto Rico March 7-10, Purse $3,500,000
1) Scott Brown - 68-63-67-70 = 268 $630,000 T2) Fabian Gomez - 69-64-65-71 = 269 $308,000 T2) Jordan Spieth - 69-66-67-67 = 269 $308,000 T4) Justin Bolli - 67-69-68-66 = 270 $154,000 T4) Brian Stuard - 67-69-66-68 = 270 $154,000 T6) Andres Romero - 65-65-75-66 = 271 $121,625 T6) Peter Uihlein - 67-65-72-67 = 271$121, 625 T8) David Hearn - 68-67-71-66 = 272 $101,500 T8) D.J. Trahan - 72-65-69-66 = 272 $101,500 T8) Boo Weekley - 71-67-66-68 $101,500
Note: bold signifies Titleist golf ball usage
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