Mark Hensby's attempt at a comeback victory fell short at the Barbasol Championship in Alabama on Sunday as the Aussie carded a steady one-under-par, final round 70 to finish six shots adrift of champion Scott Piercy.
While Hensby was consistent and carded a bogey-free round, his single birdie at the par-four second was nowhere near enough in soft conditions and he slipped back to finish in a tie for sixth.
Third round co-leader Piercy stamped his authority early with back-to-back birdies to open his round and was never headed as he shot a second consecutive 65 to win his third PGA Tour title and first since the 2012 Canadian Open.
Piercy was playing the event on a medical exemption after undergoing surgery on his right arm in 2014 and won by three shots from 29-year-old American Will Wilcox.
"I struck it beautifully all week and made enough putts to get it done," Piercy said.
"It's been a long road. My whole goal after coming back from surgery was to come back better. The way I played (Sunday) compared to my last two victories was a lot better.
"I struck the ball so well, so I'd say I'm kind of right where I imagined I would be."
Hensby was also playing on an exemption and gave his best performance for many years after injuries to his shoulder, sustained in a serious car crash in 2006, stalled his once promising career.
The 43-year-old hasn't played an event since 2013 but burst onto the US scene when winning the 2004 John Deere Classic before finishing fifth in his debut at the US Masters in 2005 and third in his maiden US Open at Pinehurst No.2 during that same year.
Hensby wasn't the only Aussie to perform well, with Aaron Baddeley shooting a closing four-under 67 to finish in a tie for 10th at the event.
Former top amateur Ricky Barnes finished in a tie for third with Korean Whee Kim and US amateur Robby Shelton.
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