Points keeps his nerve in Houston

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bruced
April 1, 2013

D.A Points sunk a 13-foot putt on the final hole to claim the Houston Open title on Sunday.

The American needed to nail the putt in order to avoid entering a play-off with Henrik Stenson and Billy Horschel, who had finished the event on 15 under, and he did just that.

Points’ charge for his second Tour title was halted earlier on Sunday when a storm brought the players from the course with Points on a strong run having birdied three of the first four holes on the back nine and with just four holes to play.

The 34-year-old remained calm when play resumed and pared the remaining four holes to claim victory.

It marked a remarkable turnaround for a man who had missed his seven of his last nine cuts and was using his mother’s putter as he looked to end his dismal run of form on the greens.

“Whatever happens, happens. It’s been a really tough year. To have a putt to win, you always want that starting out every week,” he said.

“I’ve been putting well and I just thought whatever happens, happens, just hit a good putt. Getting it up and down on 17 and again on 18, it was special.

“I had a really good flow before the rain delay. I was firing on all cylinders and I’m proud of myself that the rain delay didn’t put a hitch in that.”

Stenson and Horschel were left to settle for second after both shooting closing rounds of 66. Dustin Johnson fired the low round of the day, a 65, to end two shots behind Points in a tie for fourth with Ben Crane.

Three shots further back sat Keegan Bradley, Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen in a six-man group that tied for sixth.

Former world number one Rory McIlroy ended his week with a 70 to finish on four under par, 12 shots off the pace.