LAS VEGAS - American rookie George McNeill held off an early challenge from playing partner DJ Trahan to clinch his maiden PGA Tour golf title by four shots at the Las Vegas Open today.
McNeill, 32, ice-cool on a sun-baked day at the TPC Summerlin, fired a five-under-par
67 to become the tour's 11th first-time winner this season.
Five ahead of compatriot Trahan overnight, McNeill birdied four of the last eight holes for the second successive day, posting a tournament record 24-under total of 264 despite a three-putt bogey at the last.
He also became the second rookie to triumph on the 2007 PGA Tour, following American Brandt Snedeker at the Wyndham Championship in August.
Trahan reeled off birdies on the first four holes on his way to a joint best-of-the-day 66 and second spot at 20-under, finishing four ahead of Americans Cameron Beckham, who shot 68, and Robert Garrigus, 70.
New Zealand's Phil Tataurangi returned his best result on the tour for a number of years by finishing in a tie for 14th after his closing round of 71 left him on 12-under 276.
Compatriot Grant Waite was 38th equal on 280 after shooting 70 today.
McNeill, who worked as an assistant club professional at Forest Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida a year ago, held off Trahan's early burst with birdies at the first and third before reaching the turn in two-under 34.
At that point, his lead had been trimmed to three with Trahan offsetting a three-putt bogey at the sixth with a birdie at the par-five ninth.
McNeill, the leading player at the 2006 PGA Tour qualifying tournament after making eight previous unsuccessful visits, then tightened his grip on the title and the first prize of US$720,000 ($952,255).
He picked up further shots at the 11th, 13th and 14th before two-putting for birdie at the par-five 16th to regain his five-shot cushion.
Trahan missed short birdie putts at the 16th and 17th and McNeill could afford to drop his only stroke of the day at the last and still eclipse the tournament record aggregate of 265 set by American Troy Matteson last year.
- REUTERS
