Shane Lowry holed out for his first ever albatross during his fourth round of the Farmers Insurance Open in California but was still unable to break into the top 20 as the leaders finished out on Saturday.
It was a historic night for Matthieu Pavon as he became the first Frenchman to claim a PGA Tour title since Arnaud Massy in 1907.
Pavon made an eight-foot birdie putt on the final hole to finish one shot ahead of Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard, celebrating the moment with his arms raised and a hug to his caddie Mark Sherwood.
The 31-year-old PGA Tour rookie was playing in only his 11th event on the circuit and hopes the win inspires people.
"I still can't believe it," said Pavon, whose victory comes 117 years after Massy won the Open.
"It is big for our country. I hope it will inspire a lot of people, because coming from an amateur player which is 800 in the world to a PGA Tour winner is pretty big."
Pavon, who won his first DP World Tour title in Spain last October, shot a three-under-par 69 in the final round to finish on 13 under at Torrey Pines and edge out Ryder Cup star Hojgaard.
For Lowry, the enthusiasm of his opening 66 was tempered by back-to-back 73s that saw him fall out of contention, the Offaly man starting his final round seven shots off round three leader Stephan Jaeger of Germany.
Despite that, it was a day to remember for Lowry as he produced a moment of magic, helped by a favourable kick, to thrill the crowds at Torrey Pines.
ALBATROSS FOR @ShaneLowryGolf!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2024
Are you kidding?! pic.twitter.com/FEZNihLOG7
Sitting on two under through five holes following three bogeys and a birdie, Lowry found the bottom of the cup from 256 yards out with his second shot on the par-five sixth.
It was the first at the South Course since Jason Gore on the 18th hole in the third round at the 2016 edition of the Farmers.
That moved the 36-year-old to five-under par for the tournament and into a tie for 31st.
A run of four holes from the 12th to the 15th produced two birdies and two bogeys, before Lowry ended his tournament with another birdie at the 18th to move to six-under.
Additional reporting: PA
