Scott Hoch all but secured a place in the American Ryder Cup team for the match against Europe at The Belfry in September after winning the $3.6 million Western Open by one stroke yesterday.

Hoch timed his run perfectly, taking the lead with a tap-in par at the final hole to edge out fellow American Davis Love after a compelling final round duel at Cog Hill.

It was the only time Hoch, 45, had led in the entire tournament, much to the chagrin of overnight leader Love, who came up short despite shooting a six-under-par 66. Hoch fired a 64 for a tournament record total of 21-under-par 267.

Love led by one stroke with three holes left. He bogeyed the 16th, matched Hoch's birdie at the 17th, and made a mess of the par-four 18th, missing a par saving 12-footer that would have forced a play-off.

Tiger Woods was uncharacteristically sloppy on his way to a tie for 20th position, after shooting a 71 for 280.

For the first time, at Royal & Ancient Golf Club used the Western Open as a British Open as a British Open qualifier, with the top eight who weren't otherwise exempt booking their tickets for Royal Lytham in two weeks time.

Rory Sabbatini, fellow South African David Frost and Americans Mark Wiebe, Matt Gogel, Carl Paulson, Brain Gay, Kenny Perry and Joe ogilvie.