Dufner on a Hot Streak


After playing 164 tournaments without a victory on the PGA Tour, Jason Dufner is on a veritable roll with two titles in a month. The 35-year-old secured his second career triumph after closing with a 3-under 67 to finish at 11-under 269, one stroke ahead of Dicky Pride - who also shot 67 - to win the Byron Nelson Championship.

It was tight all Sunday long at TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas, as Dufner, Pride, Marc Leishman, Jonas Blixt and J.J. Henry vied for the top spot on the leaderboard in the $6.5 million event.

But Dufner, the leader through the final three rounds, birdied two of the final three holes to add the Nelson title to his first victory, which came in late April in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after he beat Ernie Els in a playoff. His latest win was worth $1.17 million and 500 FedEx Cup points.

Dufner did not want to have to go extra holes Sunday, and he didn't after draining a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th to nail down the win. "I've been in a couple of playoffs," said Dufner, who most memorably lost the 2011 PGA Championship to Keegan Bradley in a playoff. "Really didn't want to get in another one."

Pride tipped his cap to the 2012 Byron Nelson champion. "Jason made a great putt," said the 42-year-old Pride, who tried his best to overtake Dufner with three birdies on the final four holes. "He's a really good player."

Sharing third at 271 were Joe Durant, who matched Sunday's low round of 65 with Alex Cejka, Leishman (66), Blixt (66) and Henry (68). Carding 66s and tying for seventh at 274 were Ken Duke and Phil Mickelson, who both shot 66s. Henry had the shot of the day on the par-3 fifth hole when his wedge rolled into the cup for a hole-in-one.

Ryan Palmer, who lost in a playoff in last year's Byron Nelson, wasn't able to find the "redemption" he'd hoped for, shooting a 69 to end up in ninth at 275 with Robert Garrigus (66), Jason Bohn (68), Pat Perez (69), Vijay Singh (71) and Jason Day (72).

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/r/leaderboard/.

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