Golf: Maggert surges to victory in Memphis

American golfer Jeff Maggert ended a seven-year title drought with a rousing finish and three-shot victory at the St Jude Classic today.

Boosted by a 36-foot eagle putt at the 16th, Maggert fired a five-under-par 65 for a nine-under total of 271 at the TPC at Southwind.

Three off the pace overnight, Maggert, 42, picked up shots at two of the first three holes and put his third PGA Tour victory beyond doubt by rolling in a 33-footer to birdie the par-four 17th.

His previous tour success came at the 1999 WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship, where he clinched the biggest cheque of his career after starting the tournament as the 24th seed.

"Seven years goes by fast and I played a lot of good golf in that span," Maggert said.

"I didn't win but they were seven good years for me.

"I've struggled a little bit this year and the putter has really slowed me down. But today the putter definitely helped me through.

"I've had a great time playing golf out here and I would have bet I would've won more times by now but, with five kids at home, I have a lot of other priorities that are important to me in my life."

Compatriot Tom Pernice junior, co-leader overnight, returned a 71 to secure second place at six-under with 1996 champion John Cook, mwho shot 71, another two strokes back in a share of third, alongside fellow American Kris Cox, who managed 72.

Tim Herron, winner of last week's Colonial tournament and the other pacesetter at the start of today, battled in the firm, fast-running conditions.

He ran up two double bogeys on his way to a 77 and a tie for 16th at level par.

Maggert, who had missed the cut in his last three PGA Tour starts, produced the tidiest display of golf on another difficult day of scoring at Southwind.

An outward nine of one-under 34 earned him a share of the lead with Cox and he was the only title contender to negotiate the treacherous closing stretch without a bogey.

Although six players had been within a stroke of the lead before Maggert reached the turn, he tightened his grip on the tournament with a birdie two at the 11th followed by a run of four consecutive pars.

He reached the green in two with a superb two-iron from 238m at the par-five 16th and stretched his cushion to three by holing the monster putt.

Maggert's fourth birdie of the day at the difficult 17th allowed him a stress-free walk down the last.

- REUTERS