DALLAS: A brilliant left-handed recovery shot helped American Brendon Todd to his first PGA Tour title, a two-stroke victory at the $6.9m HP Byron Nelson Championship in Texas yesterday.
Todd, who had never finished better than sixth on tour, displayed impressive poise and a sizzling short game to card a bogey-free four-under-par 66 at the Four Seasons TPC in Irving.
He finished at 14-under 266, while Canadian Mike Weir (67), without a win since 2007, claimed second place on 12-under.
Todd collected $1.24 million and an invitation to next year’s Masters, less than two hours down the road from where he went to college at the University of Georgia in Athens.
“I thought I could win on the PGA Tour. It’s taken a while but now that I’ve won it’s a dream come true,” the 28-year-old told reporters.
“I’m really excited, the relief I finally have a chance to play the PGA Tour for multiple years (but) number one (is) going to Augusta.”“I just took my four-iron and just hit it with the back of the club,” he said. .
Weir recorded his best finish since 2010.
The 2003 Masters champion was the only one to exert any pressure on Todd.REUTERS
