Californian Scott McCarron won the $3.3 million BellSouth Classic by three strokes yesterday.
He survived strong winds to lead throughout the final round on his way to his third PGA Tour victory, his second at the Sugarloaf TPC.
On a day when the field had to complete 36 holes to make up for Thursday's washout, McCarron shot rounds of 72 and 73 to finish at eight-under 280.
Canadian Mike Weir (67), one of only five players to break par in the final round, birdied his final hole to break out of a logjam and claim outright second on 283. Phil Mickelson (75), trying to defend his title, shared third with Chris Smith (69) and Dennis Paulson (75) on 284.
"Having to play 36 holes in very tough conditions, you had to stay really patient, and I felt I did a good job of that," McCarron said. "I knew that par was going to be a really good score."
He started the final round with a one-shot lead and extended it to six shots with eight holes left. From that point he needed only to avoid a disaster hole to win, but in the conditions that was not easy.
McCarron bogeyed the 12th, 13th and 15th holes to offer his rivals a glimmer of hope, but a birdie at the 16th all but secured victory, and he safely parred the final two holes.
Reuters