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CHICAGO - American Jonathan Byrd booked his place at next week's British Open golf championship with a one-shot victory at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois on Monday (NZ time).
Two off the lead going into the final round, Byrd took advantage of a stumbling finish by South African Tim Clark to clinch his third PGA Tour title by a shot.
Phil Tataurangi shot a final round 68 to be joint 57th on a total of 280 while fellow New Zealander Grant Waite was 70th on 288.
Byrd, playing one group ahead of Clark, fired a flawless, five-under-par 66 in near-perfect conditions at the TPC Deere Run to post an 18-under total of 266.
The 29-year-old reeled off four birdies in eight holes from the 10th to join Clark in a share of the lead before the South African slipped back with a bogey at the par-five 17th.
Clark, who had forged three ahead with nine holes to play in pursuit of his first PGA Tour victory, had to settle for second spot after closing with a 68.
Overnight leader Nathan Green of Australia dropped back into a tie for third at 15 under with American Troy Matteson (66) after carding a 71.
Byrd, who had not won on the PGA Tour since the 2004 BC Open, was delighted to qualify for his first British Open.
"Man, I'm going," he told reporters, referring to the July 19-22 Open championship at Carnoustie in Scotland.
"I don't have any other plans. I have no passport with me so I'm going to have to make a quick trip home and get that.
"I will probably need some different clothes for the British (Open). I've never played there so I am pretty excited."
A committed Christian, Byrd was also relieved to end a run of four missed cuts on the PGA Tour.
"This feels great," the South Carolina native said.
"I was playing well out there and asking God to just give me peace and contentment.
"He comes through when you're playing bad. I missed the last four cuts coming into this week and he comes through on days like today so I just give him the glory."
- REUTERS
