Blixt Blitz at Greenbrier


Jonas Blixt matched Sunday's low round, a 3-under 67, to overcome a four-shot deficit and 54-hole leader Johnson Wagner and win the weather-delayed Greenbrier Classic at Greenbrier Resort's Old TPC White course in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

The 29-year-old, who played college golf at Florida State, carded five birdies and two bogeys to end up at 13-under 267, two strokes ahead of Wagner, who finished with a 73, Jimmy Walker (71), and two Aussies, Steven Bowditch and Matt Jones, who each shot 68.

The victory, worth $1.134 million and 500 FedEx Cup points, was the Swede's second on the PGA Tour, with his first coming last year in the Frys.com Open. His second title, however, earned him an automatic spot in the Masters.

"Just to pull it off," a stunned Blixt said of his win at greenside. "I can't believe it."

The win also means he will be able to return to Sweden and visit family in advance of the British Open, which starts in two weeks at Muirfield in Scotland. "I get to see my family . . . just to be able to play Augusta (National), so many dreams come true."

Blixt has logged only two top-25 finishes in 16 events this year. He made eight cuts, but missed the other eight. "Just one week and the whole year kind of turns around," he said of Sunday's triumph.

Wagner was in position to win for the fourth time on Tour, making the turn in 14-under par to take a two-stroke lead. But the 33-year-old from Texas had three bogeys coming home and didn't birdie either of the two par-5s on the inward half, carding a 3-over 39 and falling into a tie for second.

The final round was interrupted by a rain delay just over three hours long. The players were sent to the clubhouse at 1:50 p.m. (ET) due to dangerous weather coming through the area, and didn't return until 5:00. The final round was completed, however, albeit in near-darkness.

Defending champion Ted Potter Jr. had a nice Sunday, closing with a 3-under 67 to finish T-6 at 9-under 271 along with Brian Stuard (67) and Pat Perez (69).

Also shooting a 67 was 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, Davis Love III, whose 72-hole total was 8-under 272, giving the 49-year-old a ninth place at 272 with fellow Americans Daniel Summerhays (67), Tim Petrovic (68), Tag Ridings (70) and Bill Haas (70). Also at that number were Sweden's David Lingmerth (68), South African Rory Sabbatini (70) and South Korean D.H. Lee (70).

Six players tied for 17th at 273, including 2010 British Open champion, Louis Oosthuizen, who closed with a 69.

After opening with three straight 67s, Jordan Spieth faltered Sunday, posting a 73. Nonetheless, the 19-year-old from Dallas - who ended up at 6-under 274, has enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign, recording five top-10s and amassing well over $1 million in earnings.

Bubba Watson carded a 1-under 69 to end up at 5-under 275. "I made too many mistakes," the 2012 Masters champion told PGATour.com. But Watson said he's playing well and is confident. "I'm looking forward to the rest of the year, I'm playing great."

Two stalwarts on the Champions Tour, Tom Watson and Kenny Perry, shot 67 and 69 to finish at 4-under 276 and 277, respectively. Watson is the pro emeritus at Greenbrier. Perry won his first major title on any tour last week in the Senior Players Championship in Pittsburgh.

Matt Every, who assumed the 36-hole lead after opening with 69 and 62, posted 74 and 71 over the weekend to total 4-under 276, the same number as amateur Michael Kim, who posted two 70s, a 69 and a 67.

Sunday's high mark was by Justin Leonard. The 1997 British Open champion had an 82 that was low-lighted by six bogeys and a 10 on the par-4 16th hole.

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