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Verplank pips Donald in Texas

30/04/2007

Scott Verplank shot a final round 66 to overtake England's Luke Donald and win the Byron Nelson Championship in Texas by one shot.

Donald, who finished on 12-under-par, had led the tournament through rounds two and three but threw all his good work away as he endured a double-bogey at the ninth hole of his final round.

He hit a tree on his approach and then three-putted on the green to allow Verplank (-13) to replace him at the top of the leaderboard and despite Donald having a chance to force a play-off he missed a birdie putt at the last to hand the trophy to the American.

Verplank said he enjoyed the win, his fifth PGA Tour title, which came at the tournament named after the American's former tutor.

"I think Byron had a hand in this week,'' Verplank said.

"[His widow Peggy Nelson] just told me right before I came in here that he picked the winner this week. I think he might have."

South African Rory Sabbatini, England's Ian Poulter and American pair Jerry Kelly and Phil Mickelson tied for third on ten-under, two shots back from Donald.

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