Brendon Todd earned his first victory on the PGA Tour, closing with a 4-under-par 66 to beat Mike Weir of Canada by two strokes in the HP Byron Nelson Championship at TPC Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.
Todd, who won in his 77th start on the circuit and became the ninth first-time winner on the tour this season, holed a clutch 14-foot putt for par on the 17th hole that wrapped up the victory.
“That was huge on No. 17,” said Todd, who claimed his fifth pro victory, including two on the Web.com Tour. “I asked my caddie on the tee where we stood, and he said he thought I was two shots ahead, so it was great to jam that one in.
“This feels amazing. It’s a big monkey off my back. I’ve a bit of a tough career so far, had a lot of ups-and-downs, but it’s great to be on top right now.”
Weir, the 2003 Masters champions who has battled injuries and has not won since the 2007 Fry’s Electronics Open, closed with a second straight 67 but cooled off after making birdies on four of his first five holes.
Charles Howell III wedged his third shot into the hole from 116 yards for an eagle on the 16th hole en route to a 67 and finished four shots back in a tie for third Mark Leishman of Australia, who had 68.
James Hahn, who was born in South Korea but grew up in Alameda and played at Cal, followed two straight 67s with a 70 and wound up five strokes back in a tie for fifth with Boo Weekley, who finished with a third consecutive 68.
Dustin Johnson closed with a 66 and tied for seventh, six shots behind, with Matt Kuchar, who had a 68, Gary Woodland, who totaled 67, and Graham DeLaet of Canada, who came in at 70.
