Sanderson Farms Championship: Rookie Nick Taylor claims maiden win
Last Updated: 10/11/14 8:04am
Canadian rookie Nick Taylor kept his composure to claim a two-shot victory in the Sanderson Farms Championship for his maiden PGA Tour success.
The 26-year-old from Winnipeg made the most of the perfect conditions on a sunny afternoon at the Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi to shoot a six-under-par 66 in the final round.
That took him to 16-under 272 for the tournament and two shots clear of American duo Boo Weekley (66) and Jason Bohn (69).
Taylor, who began the day four shots off the lead, made a flying start and birdied the first, third, fifth, seventh and eighth holes on the front nine, with his only bogey coming at the sixth.
He then broke clear of a tightly-bunched leaderboard with a three-birdie blitz from the 13th and coolly sank a par-saving putt from nine feet at the 16th to remain in command.
He could then even afford the luxury of a three-putt bogey at the last as he became the first Canadian winner on the PGA Tour since Stephen Ames five years ago.
"It's been a whirlwind of a summer; six months ago I was struggling," said Taylor, who was making just his 13th full-time start. "I'm shocked but I'm happy about it.
"I felt very comfortable, I had some nerves but I was able to make some putts."
Overnight leader John Rollins, who was seeking his first PGA Tour victory in five years, closed with a 73 to finish in a three-way tie for fourth at 13 under, alongside fellow Americans Peter Uihlein (65) and Justin Thomas (67).
Rollins dropped three shots coming home on 12,14 and 18, losing his game when he needed it the most after a level front nine.
England’s Greg Owen (71) finished in a tie for 22nd place on seven under, while Russell Knox of Scotland (69) was joint-35th on four under.
