Brown Edges Spieth & Gomez in Puerto Rico


Scott Brown birdied the par-5 18th hole to win the Puerto Rico Open. The $3.5 million PGA Tour event was held at Trump International Golf Club - Puerto Rico.

Brown, a 29-year-old playing on conditional status this year, closed with a 2-under 70 to finish at 20-under 268, one stroke lower than Jordan Spieth, who shot a 67, and Fabian Gomez (71).

On Sunday, Brown - who began the final round tied for the lead with Gomez - carded three birdies, an eagle on the par-5 second hole, and three bogeys. After carding five birdies in his first 10 holes, Spieth, a storied former amateur from Dallas who turned pro in December, took the lead. But despite a birdie on the last hole, a Spieth bogey on the par-3 16th gave Brown the advantage.

The 34-year-old Gomez never got untracked Sunday. The Argentine - like Brown and Spieth, seeking his first Tour win - posted three birdies and two bogeys. Starting the 72nd hole with a one-stroke lead, Gomez could have won the tournament outright or forced a playoff with Brown, but he bogeyed the 18th and had to settle for second.

In addition to being worth $630,000 and 300 FedEx Cup points, Brown's victory assures him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in the 2013 PGA Championship. He's also eligible for the 2014 season opener, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, in Hawaii.

Sharing fourth at 270 were Justin Bolli (66) and Brian Stuard (68), while another stroke back were 36-hole leader Andres Romero (66) and Peter Uihlein. Uihlein, the 2010 U.S. Amateur champion and currently a regular on the European Tour, closed with a 67. With his T-6 finish, Uihlein earned a spot in next week's Tampa Bay Classic.

Tied for eighth at 16-under were David Hearn (66), D.J. Trahan (66) and Boo Weekley (68).

After posting rounds of 71, 64 and 69, defending champion George McNeill ballooned to a 4-over 76 on Sunday that dropped him to a tie for 57th place at 8-under 280.

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/puerto-rico-open-presented-by-seepuertorico-com/leaderboard.html.