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Leonard outlasts Parnevik in Texas

08/10/2007

Justin Leonard came from four shots behind at the start of the final day to beat Jesper Parnevik to the Texas Open title in a three-hole play-off.

The American, in third place before his final round, carded a solid five-under-par round of 65 as Parnevik floundered.

The Swede, who had been in blistering form earlier in the week with a career-best round of 61 on the first day, lost focus with two bogeys and no birdies in his opening 11 holes.

He staged a mini recovery on the back nine, with four birdies from the 12th to the 17th but this sandwiched another bogey on the 16th to open the door for Leonard.

And the American made no mistake, with pars from the 15th to the 18th securing a play-off that he eventually won.

The title makes him only the second man to win three times at the LaCantera course in San Antonio beside all-time great Arnold Palmer.

"That's pretty special," Leonard said.

"It's great company to be in. I played pretty solid."

Leonard took the trophy with a ten-foot birdie putt after Parnevik could only par.

And despite admitting he was disappointed to lose out after holding a three-shot lead going into the final round, the veteran Swede, 42, said he was glad to be back at the sharp end of a competition.

"It's tough to get into position to win, but I'm happy I got to feel it again," he said.

"It has been a while."