Axley claims first PGA Tour title at Texas Open

GOLF: Erik Axley shrugged off a late double-bogey and a bogey to claim his first PGA Tour title Sunday, posting a three-shot win in the four million-dollar Texas Open. Axley started the round just 18 holes away from the first victory of his career and opened a six-shot lead during the final round at LaCantera Golf Club.

"I'm feeling relieved, happy and, you know, the only thing that disappointed me I kind of didn't stick to my game plan," Axley said.

"Starting on 14 I got a little too aggressive there and paid for it. Other than that I played pretty solid all day."

Entering this event having made just 11 cuts in 26 career PGA Tour events, the 32-year-old Axley was quite a surprise. Despite the pressure of playing for his breakthrough win, Axley had things under control in his final-round one-over 71, carding a birdie and 12 pars before getting into trouble.

A drive into the trees at the par-five 14th led to a double bogey and he dropped another shot at 17. He still held a two-shot lead heading to 18 and after firing his approach to four feet, he closed with a birdie to wrap up his first win and collect 720,000 dollars.

"I felt calm because I really felt under control of my game. The 14th hole was was just a bad decision," Axley said.

"I don't know what the lead was at that point but it wasn't a driver hole for me today. I could have hit a 2-iron and a long iron into the green in two on a par-5 and decided to hit driver and paid for it.Axley started the day with a four-shot lead. He fired his second consecutive bogey-free seven-under-par 63 on Saturday and had not carded a bogey since the 14th hole of his first round.

AN ANTONIO, Texas, Monday (AFP)