Steven Bowditch claimed the first PGA Tour victory of his career, despite finishing with a final-day 76 at the Valero Texas Open, and in the process earned himself an invitation to the Masters.
The Australian, ranked 339th in the world, started the last day with a three-shot lead and he needed that advantage after shooting a four-over-par round to end the tournament on eight under.
Bowditch only dropped five shots in his opening three rounds of 69, 67 and 68 but he surpassed that figure just on Sunday with bogeys at the second, sixth, 13th and last, as well as a double-bogey six on the par-four fourth.
Fortunately for the 30-year-old, though, none of his rivals could take advantage as he finished a shot clear of Will MacKenzie (70) and Daniel Summerhays (71).
Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe, who were Bowditch's nearest challengers at the start of the day at nine under, both failed to put any pressure on the leader as they both carded rounds of 75 to finish joint fourth on six under.
Brendon Todd was the biggest mover on a day of mixed scoring as his four-under-par 68 lifted him up to joint sixth on five under, along with Jerry Kelly, Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson - Americans occupying all top 10 spots aside from Bowditch.
