Australian Stuart Appleby secured an emotional victory a day after his 28th birthday, winning the Houston Open by one stroke yesterday when Hal Sutton stumbled on the closing holes.

Appleby carded a final round one-under-par 71 for a nine-under 279 total and watched from the clubhouse as Sutton bogeyed two of the last three holes. It was Appleby's first PGA win after the tragic death of his wife, Renay, in an car accident last summer in London.

The player credited the victory to his late wife. "She gave me the strength for this today. I know she is going to be with me forever, whatever I do," he said.