Maggert comes of age in Memphis

American Jeff Maggert ended a seven-year title drought with a rousing finish and three-shot victory at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.

Boosted by a 36-foot eagle putt at the 16th, Maggert fired a five-under-par 65 for a nine-under total of 271 at the TPC at Southwind.
   
Three off the pace overnight, the 42-year-old picked up shots at two of the first three holes and put his third PGA Tour victory beyond doubt by rolling in a 33-footer to birdie the par-four 17th.
   
His previous PGA Tour success came at the 1999 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, where he clinched the biggest cheque of his career after starting the tournament as the 24th seed.
   
"I've struggled a little bit this year and the putter has really slowed me down," a smiling Maggert told reporters. "Today the putter definitely helped me through.
   
"It's been a strange career for me but I've had a great time playing golf out here. I would like to have won a few more times but I've had other priorities in my life, especially my family. But I'm very fortunate I can come out here and still win at 42."
   
Compatriot Tom Pernice junior, co-leader overnight, returned a 71 to secure second place at six under with 1996 champion John Cook (71) a further two strokes back in a share of third alongside fellow American Kris Cox (72).

Tim Herron, winner of last week's Colonial tournament and the other pacesetter at the start of the day, battled in the firm, fast-running conditions. He ran up two double-bogeys on his way to a 77 and a tie for 16th at level par.
   
Maggert, who had missed the cut in last three PGA Tour starts, produced the tidiest display of golf on another difficult day of scoring at Southwind.
   
An outward nine of one-under 34 earned him a share of the lead with Cox and he was the only title contender to negotiate the treacherous closing stretch without a bogey.
   
Although six players had been within a stroke of the lead before Maggert reached the turn, he tightened his grip on the tournament with a birdie-two at the 11th followed by a run of four consecutive pars.
   
He reached the green in two with a superb iron from 260 yards at the par-five 16th and stretched his cushion to three by holing the monster putt.
   
Maggert's fourth birdie of the day at the difficult 17th allowed him a stress-free walk down the last.
   
Twice winner David Toms carded a 71 to finish in a tie for 10th at one under, two ahead of defending champion Justin Leonard, after a 73.