Troy Merritt holds nerve to claim first PGA Tour title in Virginia

Merritt took a share of the lead with a tournament-record 61 on Saturday

Troy Merritt claimed his first PGA Tour title victory at the Quicken Loans International in Virginia after finishing three strokes ahead of the field.

Merritt, who took a share of the lead on Saturday with a tournament-record 61, shot a four-under 67 on Sunday to finish on 18 under overall and that was enough to give him clear daylight over the rest.

The 29-year-old had only ever previously won the Mexico Open in 2009, but the Gainesville title doubles that total and also earned him a winner’s cheque of $1.2million.

Fellow American Rickie Fowler was the nearest to Merritt, but his seven-birdie round of 69 was blighted by four bogeys, which meant he was always unlikely to catch his compatriot.

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Kevin Chappell dropped like a stone after shooting a six-over 77 on the final day to sink from having a share of the lead to dropping 10 shots behind.

Tiger Woods, who fell out of contention with a three over 74 on Saturday, recovered somewhat to join Chappell on eight under and he feels his weekend's work is a step in the right direction.

“It was kind of a mixed bag as far as results, but the fact I had total control of the golf ball was nice,” he told the PGA Tour.

“I’m hitting the ball up there with some of the bigger guys again. I was able to make some putts and the short game (is) becoming good again like it used to be.”

World number seven Justin Rose leads the English contingent after shooting a one-under 70 to join a four-strong cluster on 12 under, while Scotland's Russell Knox finished on five under.