Jason Dufner wins USPGA Championship
Jason Dufner shot a final-round 68 to record a 10-under-par 72-hole total and win the USPGA Championship by two shots from Jim Furyk at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.
The popular American played flawless golf in the final round to secure his maiden major championship, banishing memories of his play-off loss to Keegan Bradley in the USPGA two years ago.
In-form Swede Henrik Stenson finished third - his fourth consecutive top three - and one shot clear of compatriot Jonas Blixt, who was competing in only his second ever major championship.
There was huge anticipation before the leaders teed off, with Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood paired together and Jason Day and Scott Piercy blazing a trail on the golf course.
Still, their challenge didn't materialise, and the performance of the final group took many players out of contention.
Dufner started the final round one shot behind Furyk, but surged one clear after back-to-back birdies at four and five.
He added another at the par-4 8th to move to 11 under, and Furyk fell two behind with a bogey of his own at the following hole.
Both players parred the first six holes of the back nine, and Stenson reached nine under with a two-putt birdie at 13.
He bogied the drivable 14th, though, and after Blixt dropped a shot at the par-3 15th, it was effectively a two-horse race.
Dufner, showing no sign of nerves, stiffed a wedge on 16 to set up another birdie, but Furyk followed him in to ensure the gap remained at two.
Both made bogies at 17 - Furyk after finding green-side rough and Dufner after a three-putt - and drove into rough on the right side of the 18th.
The veteran left his approach short in thick rough and failed to get up and down, leaving Dufner with three putts for the championship. He cosied his first effort up to the hole and tapped in for the biggest win of his career.
"It probably hasn't sunk in," said Dufner. "I can't believe this is happening to me. To come back from a couple of years ago when I lost in a play-off feels really, really good.
"I decided that I was going to be confident and put my best foot forward, play aggressive and try to win this thing.
"The last two holes were a little unfortunate but I am happy to get the job done - it's a big step in my career."
USPGA Championship Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York Aug 8-11, purse $8,000,000
1) Jason Dufner - 68-63-71-68 = 270 - $1,445,000 2) Jim Furyk - 65-68-68-71 = 272 $865,000 3) Henrik Stenson - 68-66-69-70 = 273 - $545,000 4) Jonas Blixt - 68-70-66-70 = 274 - $385,000 T5) Scott Piercy - 67-71-72-65 = 275 - $304,000 T5) Adam Scott - 65-68-72-70 = 275 - $304,000 7) David Toms - 71-69-69-67 = 276 - $259,000 T8) Jason Day - 67-71-72-67 = 277 - $206,250 T8) Dustin Johnson - 72-71-65-69 = 277 - $206,250 T8) Zach Johnson - 69-70-70-68 = 277 - $206,250 T8) Rory McIlroy - 69-71-67-70 = 277 - $206,250
Note: bold signifies Titleist golf ball usage
