Berger nails first PGA Tour win in Memphis

American Daniel Berger has claimed his first PGA Tour victory with a three-shot triumph at the St Jude Classic.

Daniel Berger of the US kisses the winners trophy in St. Jude

US golfer Daniel Berger has won the St Jude Classic tournament in Memphis. (AAP)

American Daniel Berger held his nerve as the big names stalked to become the 13th first-time winner on this year's PGA Tour with victory at the St Jude Classic.

Having been forced to wait out a three-hour rain delay before his final round got underway, the 23-year-old Floridian shot a three-under 67 to finish at 13-under 267, three strokes ahead of Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Brooks Koepka.

It was the first time Berger, the son of former world top-10 tennis professional Jay Berger, had been in the final group on Sunday - and the pressure was really on when Mickelson closed within a stroke on the back nine.

But Berger responded with birdies on three of his next four holes, highlighted by a 32-foot putt on the par-3 14th that pushed his lead to three at 13 under.

"To kind of get it done today means a lot," Berger said.

"To do that with so many great players, Hall of Famers behind me, it's something that I'll never forget and I just love the way I hung in there and was able to get it done."

Mickelson and Stricker shot 67, and Koepka had a 66.

Dustin Johnson had a 63, setting the back-nine record with a 29, to finish fifth at nine under.

Matt Jones was the best-placed Australian in a tie for 26th at two under after he closed with an even-par round.

Mickelson was left hoping his runner-up finish was not a portent of things to come heading to the US Open - the only major he is yet to win - having finished second in the event on six occasions.

"For the most part I hit a lot of good shots, played pretty well and seems," Mickelson said.

"It almost feels like US Open came a week early to finish another second place.

Berger will head to Oakmont trying to do something no one has ever done before by following up a tour title by winning the US Open.

Only 11 golfers have ever won a major after winning on tour the previous wee - Rory McIlroy the last when he won the PGA Championship the week after taking the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2014.

"When I played in the Masters for the first time I think I finished 10th, five shots behind and didn't really play that great," Berger said.

"So, you know if I can go in there next week and play good, then obviously I have what it takes to get the W."


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world