Victory for Bateman in Buick Open

Brian Bateman became another first-time winner on the PGA Tour after holing a 12-foot birdie putt to win the Buick Open.

Brian Bateman
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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American Brian Bateman made birdie down the final hole to avoid a four-way play-off and take the Buick Open title.

The 34-year-old shot a final round of 69 to finish one ahead of Jason Gore, Justin Leonard and Woody Austin. Bateman was ranked 408 in the world before the event and the Buick win gives him a place in next years Masters and moves him into the top 50 of the FedEx Cup rankings.

After two great par saves at 16 and 17 Bateman found the fairway at 18, hit an 8-iron to 12-foot and then holed the putt to become the eighth first time winner on the PGA Tour this season.

"I had a lot working against me," Bateman said. "It's been a life-changing week. A life-changing putt."

Swede Fredrik Jacobson continued his good form finishing on 12 under par, one ahead of fellow countryman Jesper Parnevik.

Buick Open

-15 B Bateman (US)

-14 J Gore (US), J Leonard (US), W Austin (US)

-13 S Elkington (Aus), J Rollins (US), M Dawson (US), S Verplank (US), J Furyk (US)

Paul O'Hagan
Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.
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