Jason Dufner believes his dramatic turnaround to win the US PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament is the dose of confidence he needs to bag a second major championship title.
After leading the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event in Columbus, Ohio through 36 holes, he collapsed spectacularly with a third round of five-over-par 77.
Many were ready to put a fork in the 40-year-old American, who was four shots off the pace.
Not since Nick Faldo in the 1989 Masters had anyone shot a 77 in the third round and come back to win.
But Dufner braved two weather delays on Sunday to shoot a closing 68 and his 13-under total was enough for a three-shot victory over world No.12 Rickie Fowler (70) and India's Anirban Lahiri (65).
Dufner believes his never-say-die attitude fills him with belief he can add a second grand slam to go with his 2013 US PGA Championship title as the US Open looms next week.
"That's the goal. I think this is probably a good stepping stone for (another major)," said Dufner, who became the first Ohio native to win the Memorial since tournament founder and 18-time major winner Nicklaus himself.
"Majors are very difficult to win, but I feel like I have the type of game to compete. I've had three or four pretty close calls in majors, and I don't feel like I'm done just yet."
And with three of the big dances left in 2017, Dufner likes his chances this year.
"(New US Open venue) Erin Hills is an unknown to all of us, so that will be a challenge for all of us. I love (British Open host) Royal Birkdale and Quail Hollow I haven't played in a while but the PGA Championships are usually a great fit for me," said Dufner.
World No.3 Jason Day was equal best for the Australian contingent, signing off in style with a two-under 70 and share 15th place, his best finish at his hometown event in Columbus.
Queenslander Day had never finished inside the top-25 in eight previous starts at Muirfield Village, where he is a member.
Countryman Marc Leishman (71) joined Day at five-under the card, while Victorian youngster Brett Coletta bagged his first result on the US PGA Tour.
The 20-year-old Coletta signed for a solid two-under total with a final-round 73 and finished in a share of 25th.
Adam Scott stumbled late with a double-bogey, bogey finish and a disappointing 74 dropped the world No.10 to one under, sharing 31st.
Perth's Greg Chalmers (72) finished at four over, Rod Pampling (70) at five over, Cameron Smith (77) at seven over, Curtis Luck (77) at 11 over and Matthew Griffin (82) at 18 over.
Share
