Tuesday 10 November 2015 11:23, UK
Peter Malnati joined the list of first-time winners on the PGA Tour after snatching a one-shot victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson.
After the first four events of the season produced maiden champions, Malnati made it five in a row as a composed five-under 67 in the weather-delayed final round gave him a winning score of 18 under par.
The players returned to the Country Club of Jackson early on Monday morning to complete their third rounds, and veteran David Toms and rising star Patton Kizzire both returned 66s to earn the 54-hole lead as halfway pace-setter Roberto Castro fell away with a 75.
William McGirt then emerged from the pack over the final 18 holes and, after cruising to the turn in 33, he birdied 14 and 15 to reach 18 under before making a costly mistake at the 16th, where he blocked his drive into thick rough and could not reach the green with his second.
He failed to save his four and parred in to card a 68 and set the clubhouse target at 17 under, while Toms recovered from a poor front-nine 37 with four birdies in six holes to get back into contention.
Malnati stuttered early on as he followed birdies at three and four with consecutive bogeys, but he picked up four shots in six holes around the turn and added another at the 15th before parring safely in to claim the outright lead.
A number of the later finishers gave themselves a chance to match Malnati's score, but not one of his main rivals could find a birdie over the final three holes.
The 30-year-old American, in his 22nd appearance in a PGA Tour event, was crowned champion by one-shot over Toms and McGirt, with Kizzire, Castro, Aaron Baddeley, Bryce Molder and Jhonattan Vegas all sharing fourth on 16 under.
"Two years ago when I was on this tour, it was so hard for me to be in the moment," Malnati told the Golf Channel. "I knew the work I've put in would prepare me for this moment when it came. This is pretty cool right now."
