Pampling holds off nervy Owen to win at Bay Hill

MIAMI, Mar 20 (Reuters) Australia's Rod Pampling held off Britain's Greg Owen to clinch his second PGA Tour title by a shot at the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando, Florida.

Four strokes ahead overnight, the 36-year-old yesterday fired a level-par 72 to finish on 14-under 274 at the Bay Hill Club.

Englishman Owen, chasing his first PGA Tour victory, had been one ahead with two holes to play before three-putting from just under four feet for a double-bogey five on 17.

He also bogeyed the last for a 69 and outright second place, effectively gifting Pampling the title.

Pampling, whose maiden PGA Tour victory came at the 2004 International, recovered after surrendering his lead with a double-bogey six at the 13th.

He birdied 15 and, despite a bogey on 17, became the second non-American to triumph in the tournament's 40-year history.

South Africa's Ernie Els was the first in 1998.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, who holed a 25-foot eagle putt at the par-five sixth, was a further stroke back in third after a 70.

REUTERS VJ RAI0514