Blixt Breaks Maiden on PGA Tour


Sweden's Jonas Blixt carded a 3-under 68 to finish at 16-under 268 and garner his first victory on the PGA Tour. The 28-year-old, who now resides in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., edged Tim Petrovic and Jason Kokrak by a stroke to win the Frys.com Open at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

After a birdie on the par-4 17th, Blixt, who attended Florida State, needed a par on the last to secure the title. He managed to two-putt from 25 feet for the win, earning $900,000 and securing his Tour card for 2013.

"It's unbelievable," Blixt told PGATour.com. "I have no words right now. This is the biggest dream I've ever had."

Petrovic fired a 7-under 64 early in the final round to rise up the leaderboard. The Massachusetts native had seven birdies, an eagle on the par-5 ninth and two bogeys en route to finishing at 269 and waiting to see what happened with the final groups.

"I'm trying to let the adrenaline come down right now," an excited Petrovic told Golf Channel. "I came off, my hands were shaking coming off the last hole I was so pumped up. If I had a cup of coffee right now I'd shoot right out of this chair."

The long-hitting Kokrak posted a 68 that included an eagle two on the drivable par-4 17th. The Canadian rookie came into the tournament ranked 167th on the money list; with his runner-up finish he'll move up to within the top 130. With two events left on the schedule, the top-125 players at the end of the season automatically earn Tour cards for 2013.

Sharing fourth at 270 were Jimmy Walker - who matched the course record of 9-under 62, Vijay Singh (68), Alexandre Rocha (68) and 54-hole leader John Mallinger, who started Sunday with a two-shot lead but could only muster a 1-over 72 in the final round.

Jeff Overton took solo eighth at 271 after a 66, while tied for ninth another stroke back were Gary Woodland (68) and Russell Knox (69).

Defending champion posted a 69 to share 11th at 273 with Martin Flores (67), Zach Miller (68), Patrick Reed (63) and Charles Howell III (72).

But the big story on Sunday was Blixt, who was accompanied by his family this week at the Frys.com Open. Once his final four-foot par putt disappeared into the hole to secure the victory, the PGA Tour rookie was surrounded by siblings and family members in a wild celebration on the 18th green.

For complete scoring, visit http://www.pgatour.com/r/leaderboard.