Bae holds on to win US PGA Tour season opener

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South Korea s Bae Sang-Moon nabbed his second US PGA Tour title, firing a final-round 73 to hold on for victory in the Frys.com Open.

Bae, who took a four-shot lead into the fourth round, finished with a 15-under par total of 273 and a two-stroke victory over Australian Steven Bowditch.

“I tried to really enjoy my game, but I made a lot of bogeys,” said Bae, adding that despite his four bogeys and three birdies in a one-over effort, “it was a really good experience.”

Bowditch charged up the leaderboard with a five-under par 67 for 275.

Scotland s Martin Laird, who led after the second round, closed with a 71 to head a group on 12-under 276.

He was joined by Japan s Hideki Matsuyama (70), South African Retief Goosen (70) and Americans Bryce Molder (68) and Hunter Mahan (70).

The tournament at Silverado Country Club s North Course is the first stop on the US PGA Tour s 2014-15 season.

Bae was making his first start in the event and added the title to the Byron Nelson Championship crown he won in 2013.

The 28-year-old from Daegu hadn t managed a top-10 finish on the US tour since that victory.

Bae s last two bogeys, at 13 and 14, saw his lead dwindle to two strokes over Bowditch, but he scrambled to pars on the final four holes to secure the win.

“I think I was a little nervous,” Bae said of his emotions down the stretch. “This course wasn t easy, honestly. I know how well I did. I m very, very happy.”

The tournament saw Australian Jarrod Lyle return to action for the first time on the US Tour since twice receiving treatment for leukemia.

After qualifying on Monday to play, he made the cut and finished tied for 31st, and called his week a “huge success.”

“It s something to build on for the rest of the year,” said Lyle, who will tee it up on Thursday in Las Vegas on a sponsor s exemption.

 

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