Wetterich seals surprise Byron Nelson triumph

HOUSTON, May 15: American Brett Wetterich held his nerve over the closing stretch to secure a maiden PGA Tour title by a stroke at the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas.

One off the pace at the start of the day, the 32-year-old from Ohio yesterday fired a two-under-par 68 in bright sunshine at the TPC at Las Colinas to finish on 12-under 268.

Wetterich, ranked 208th in the world at the start of the week, recovered from early bogeys at the fourth and fifth and covered the back nine in three-under 32 as his closest challengers faded.

South African Trevor Immelman, co-leader overnight with Australia's Adam Scott, had moved two strokes clear at the turn in a bid for his own breakthrough Tour victory before falling out of contention.

He dropped three shots in six holes from the 10th and did well to salvage a par at the last, after driving into water, before signing for a 70 and second place at 11 under.

Wetterich's winner's cheque for 1.116 million dollar almost doubled his career earnings on the PGA Tour since he first played the circuit in 1998.

American Omar Uresti, who twice held a share of the lead in the final round, tied for third with Scott at 10 under after closing with a 68.

Reuters