Steven Bowditch poses with the winner’s trophy on Sunday. (AP-Yonhap)
SAN ANTONIO (AP) ― Steven Bowditch held on to win the Texas Open in windy conditions Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory and a spot in the Masters.
The 30-year-old Australian bogeyed the par-5 18th for a 4-over 76 for a one-stroke victory.
“I’m over the moon. I really can’t believe it,” said Bowditch, who attempted suicide in 2006 and has fought depression throughout his career.
It was the highest closing score by a winner since Vijay Singh finished with a 4-over 76 in the 2004 PGA Championship, and the highest in a non-major since Fred Couples had a 5-over 77 in the 1983 Kemper Open.
Bowditch finished at 8-under 280 at TPC San Antonio and earned $1,116,000.
“Every time I got out of check, looking ahead to the Masters and winning golf events and making my speeches before I was finished, I had to pull myself in check every time,” said Bowditch, wearing a green shirt. “And it happened a lot today.”
Kia Classic
CARLSBAD, California (AP) ― Anna Nordqvist rallied to win the Kia Classic on Sunday at Aviara for her second victory in her last four LPGA Tour starts.
Two strokes behind leaders Cristie Kerr and Lizette Salas entering the round, Nordqvist closed with her second straight 5-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Salas.
Nordqvist won the LPGA Thailand last month to end a five-year victory drought, holding off top-ranked Park In-bee. The 26-year-old Swede also won the LPGA Championship and LPGA Tour Championship in 2009.
Projected to jump from 16th to ninth in the world, Nordqvist finished at 13-under 275 and earned $255,000.