Davis Love III ended a PGA Tour title drought of more than three years with a two-shot victory at the Greensboro Classic in North Carolina last night.
Co-leader overnight with fellow American Chris Couch, the 42-year-old from Charlotte cruised home with a six-under-par 66 in damp, overcast conditions at Forest Oaks Country Club.
Love, whose last Tour victory came at the 2003 International, reeled off three consecutive birdies from the 13th to overhaul early pacesetter Eric Axley before finishing on 16-under 272.
It was his 19th career title on the world's most lucrative circuit and his second at Forest Oaks, where he first triumphed in 1992.
"It's a big relief and hopefully the start of bigger things to come," an elated Love told reporters.
"I told (US Ryder Cup captain) Tom Lehman about a month before the PGA (Championship) that I was going to play good before the end of the year. I just couldn't promise him when it was going to be."
Love was overlooked as a captain's pick for last month's Ryder Cup after being an ever-present at the biennial team since making his debut in 1993.
"I'm excited to pull it off here," added the North Carolina native, who helped redesign the Forest Oaks layout in 2003.
American left-hander Axley, winner of the Texas Open two weeks ago, had led by two with six holes to play after racing to the turn in a blistering five-under 31.
However, he bogeyed 14 and 17, where he three-putted from long range, on his way to a 67 and a tie for third at 13 under with fellow left-hander Steve Flesch (68).
American Jason Bohn, whose only Tour victory came at last year's BC Open, secured second spot at 14 under after carding a six-birdie 66.