Strong finish from Bowditch

Monday, 15 October 2012
Steven Bowditch
Steven Bowditch

Swedish golfer Jonas Blixt has won the Frys.com Open to record his first ever victory on the PGA Tour, while Australia's Steven Bowditch finished strongly to share 16th place.

Blixt became the third rookie to win a PGA Tour event this year, holing a four-foot par putt on the final hole to ensure a one-stroke victory at CordeValle.

The 28-year-old shot a final-round 68 to finish the tournament on 16 under, one stroke ahead of American pair Tim Petrovic and Jason Kokrak who shot a 64 and 68 respectively on the final day.

Third-round leader John Mallinger ended his tournament with a 72 and tied for fourth at 14 under with Jimmy Walker, Vijay Singh and Alexandre Rocha.

American Jeff Overton finished alone in eighth position on 13 under with countryman Gary Woodland and Scot Russell Knox tying for ninth on 12 under to round out the top 10.

Blixt's short game proved to be the difference with a brilliant flop shot on the 17th leaving him with a seven-foot putt after his drive went over the green on the reachable par four.

Blixt was able to make his putt to birdie the hole and take the outright lead.

He continued to keep his cool on the final hole despite his approach shot landing 40 feet from the hole.

The Swede was able to calmly two-putt his way to par and his first tournament win.

The victory also sees Blixt collect the $900,000 winner's purse, which moves him up to 35th on the PGA money list.

And the rookie, who grew up playing ice hockey, was overwhelmed by the victory.

"It's unbelievable. I have no words right now. This is the biggest dream I've ever had," he said.

Bowditch closed with a three under 71 to share 16th at 10 under, while fellow Australian Mathew Goggin was a further stroke back.

Nick O'Hern - who led the tournament after the first round - finished equal with Goggin at nine under, while Matt Jones (-7), Rod Pampling (-5) and Nathan Green (-2) were other Australians to feature on the weekend.