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Tuesday May 26, 2009

Rory holds off Davis to win Byron Nelson

IRVING (Texas): South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini withstood a late charge from Briton Brian Davis to clinch a two-stroke victory at the US$6.5mil Byron Nelson Championship on Sunday.

Joint leader overnight, Sabbatini carded a six-under 64 at the Four Seasons TPC to finish with a tournament record 19-under 261 and US$1,152,000 in prize money for his fifth PGA Tour victory.

Thank you: Rory Sabbatini tips his cap to fans after winning the Byron Nelson Championship by two strokes on Sunday. - AFP

“I wish I had been able to win it and look up and see Byron (Nelson) there at the 18th green,” the 33-year-old South African told reporters, referring to the American golfing great who passed away in 2006.

“I was absolutely ecstatic to get things rolling ... I saw some low scores out there and knew I was going to have to play well in order to maintain my position.

“I managed to get off to a good start, putting the ball in the fairway, putting it on the greens and giving myself some looks at (birdies) and then things obviously developed pretty well.”

Sabbatini, who also won the Colonial Invitational made famous by another American great and five-time winner Ben Hogan at nearby Fort Worth two years ago, was pushed all the way by runner-up Davis.

The Englishman also carded a sizzling 64 to finish 17-under, with American journeyman D.A. Points a further stroke adrift in third.

“It was a weird feeling, because on the first eight holes I couldn’t even find the club face,” Davis said.

“I hit a wedge shot on (No.) 9 and I just found it and it clicked and off I went to the races.”

After three consecutive birdies on the ninth, 10th and 11th holes, 34-year-old Davis pulled within a stroke of Sabbatini.

But the South African crushed the uprising ruthlessly, notching three consecutive birdies of his own from 15 to 17 to ensure the victory, and render a final-hole bogey harmless.

Sabbatini dedicated the win to a friend battling cancer.

“I just hope and pray that my buddy in Atlanta pulls through. He looks about 85-year-old and pretty much just skin and bones. It’s tough to see someone going through that.”

Overnight joint leader John Mallinger of the United States faded to finish sixth. — Reuters

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