Aaron Wise wins AT&T Byron Nelson
The 21-year-old rookie finished three clear of Australia's Marc Leishman
Aaron Wise of the USA held off Australia’s Marc Leishman to win the rain-delayed AT&T Byron Nelson by three shots at Trinity Forest GC in Dallas, Texas.
Aaron Wise wins AT&T Byron Nelson
21-year-old Aaron Wise fired a closing round of 65 at Trinity Forest GC to post a tournament-record total score of 23-under-par. He claimed his maiden PGA Tour title by three shots over Marc Leishman.
Aaron Wise began the final round at Trinity Forest in a tie for the lead with Leishman but they faced a four-hour delay because of rain before they could head out for their closing 72 holes.
When they did, the rain had softened the course and a lack of wind meant final round scoring was superb.
Branden Grace set the pace with a scintillating 62 and he was followed by 63s from Keith Mitchell and J.J. Spaun.
But Wise wasn’t intimidated by the low numbers being posted. He carded five birdies on the last six holes of the front nine and then made a further gain on the 10th. When Leishman bogeyed that hole, Wise had a four-shot lead. The rookie was able to cruise in with eight straight pars to secure the title. He is the second youngest ever winner of this event, only beaten to that record by Tiger Woods.
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"It's everything I've dreamed of," said Wise. "I felt like when it rained today I was really going to tear the course up just because it allowed me to hit driver, which is my strength. I got a lot of short irons in my hand and was able to make a lot birdies."
With rounds of 61 and 66, Marc Leishman had set a 36-hole scoring record for the Byron Nelson but with 69 then 68 on the weekend, he had to be content with second place.
“I’m still happy with the way I’m striking the ball, really well,” Leishman said. “Hit a couple loose shots where I could have probably put a bit of pressure on him and didn’t – and that’s probably the difference in the end.”
Branden Grace, Keith Mitchell and J.J. Spaun, who all went low on Sunday, shared third spot.
Jordan Spieth is still seeking victory in his hometown event. He finished in a tie for 21st.
Felt like I played better than I scored," Spieth said. "Typically when you say that, it just means putts didn't go in."
Adam Scott needed to finish in a two-way tie for ninth to move into the top-60 on the Official World Golf Ranking and secure a place in the U.S. Open. He couldn’t have come any closer… He ended the event in a three-way tie for ninth.
AT&T Byron Nelson Trinity Forest GC, Dallas, Texas May 17-20 Purse: $7,700,000 Par: 71
1 Aaron Wise (USA) 65 63 68 65 261 $1,386,000 2 Marc Leishman (Aus) 61 66 69 68 264 $831,600 T3 Branden Grace (RSA) 66 68 69 62 265 $400,400 T3 Keith Mitchell (USA) 65 68 69 63 265 $400,400 T3 J.J. Spaun (USA) 64 69 69 63 265 $400,400 T6 Ryan Blaum (USA) 66 69 67 66 268 $257,950 T6 Kevin Na (USA) 66 65 69 68 268 $257,950 T6 Jimmy Walker (USA) 64 67 70 67 268 $257,950 T9 Charles Howell III (USA) 69 69 65 66 269 $207,900 T9 Adam Scott (Aus) 67 65 72 65 269 $207,900 T9 Kevin Tway (USA) 67 65 70 67 269 $207,900
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
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