HILTON HEAD ISLAND (South Carolina), April 17: Australia's Aaron Baddeley capped a special weekend by holding off Jim Furyk to win his maiden PGA Tour title by a shot at the Heritage Classic on Sunday.
Baddeley, who joined the PGA Tour in 2003, birdied two of the last five holes at the Harbour Town Golf Links for a one-under-par 70, finishing at 15-under 269.
The 25-year-old became the fourth Australian to triumph at the Heritage, following Graham Marsh (1977), Greg Norman (1988) and Peter Lonard (2005).
“To win is a relief, but it's also a dream, a goal that's been reached,” a smiling Baddeley told reporters after slipping on the tartan jacket traditionally presented to champions at Harbour Town and receiving the winner's cheque for $954,000.
American Furyk, two strokes clear with seven holes to play, had a chance to force a playoff on the final hole after hitting a superb wedge approach to 10 feet but missed the birdie putt.
The 2003 US Open champion, who lost ground with bogeys on the 12th and 17th, had to settle for a 71 and outright second place.
Americans Vaughn Taylor (66) and Billy Mayfair (69) tied for third at 13 under, while world number five Ernie Els (71) fell back after a fast start into a share of seventh at 10 under.
Leading final round scores:
269 -- Aaron Baddeley (Australia) 66, 67, 66, 70.
270 -- Jim Furyk (US) 64, 67, 68, 71.
271 -- Vaughn Taylor (US) 63, 70, 72, 66; Billy Mayfair (US) 65, 69, 68, 69.
273 -- Brett Quigley (US) 68, 70, 68, 67; Jerry Kelly (US) 68, 69, 66, 70.
274 -- Tim Clark (South Africa) 72, 65, 68, 69; Ernie Els (South Africa) 71, 67, 65, 71.
276 -- Brian Gay (US) 66, 67, 73, 70; Jose Coceres (Argentina) 69, 67, 68, 72.