Bowditch Hangs on for First Tour Win


Though he closed with a 4-over 76, Steven Bowditch took full advantage of his three-stroke lead entering the final round to go on to victory in the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio in Texas.

The 30-year-old Australian made things interesting on the front nine, carding two bogeys, a double-bogey on the par-4 fourth hole and a lone birdie to make the turn in 3-over 39. He tacked on two more bogeys and a birdie on the home half.

His final bogey came on the par-5 18th, and it turned out to be meaningless as he began the hole with a two-stroke lead. Bowditch finished at 8-under 280, a stroke ahead of Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays, who shot 70 and 71.

The win, worth $1.116 million and 500 FedEx Cup points, was the first for Bowditch - who now resides in Dallas - on the PGA Tour. The triumph assures him of a two-year Tour exemption and an automatic spot in next month's Masters.

"I've got no idea (how I got through it) to be honest," he said at greenside. "I just drew back on some experience and got some advice from different people. It just happened to be my week, I guess."

With the victory Bowditch becomes the third Aussie to win this year, joining Jason Day (WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship) and John Senden (Valspar Championship).

Sharing fourth at 6-under were Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe, who each carded 75s. Finishing another stroke back in a tie for sixth were veterans Jerry Kelly (71), Jim Furyk (71) and Zach Johnson (70), along with fellow American Brendon Todd. Todd's 68 was the low final round on another blustery day in San Antonio.

Dallas native Jordan Spieth carded a 71 to take solo 10th at 4-under, while another stroke back were Charley Hoffman (70), Geoff Ogilvy (73), Pat Perez (77) and Kevin Na (76).

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