Furyk ends title drought

Jim Furyk claimed his first title since 2007 with a nail-biting one-shot victory in the Transitions Championship in Florida.

The experienced American carded a 69 during a final round affected by thunderstorms to finish just ahead of Korean KJ Choi on 13 under par.

He had been three ahead with just four to play but grew nervous as the finishing line approached, starting with a bogey at the 15th.

Scrambled back-to-back pars followed before a much-relieved Furyk escaped with just a bogey at the last after a near-shank from the trees.

Tough

"Nerves got to me, to be honest with you," he said afterwards. "I have a habit of making it tough for myself - the only time I haven't was the US Open.

"It's not really a monkey off my back from a perspective of 'boy, I can't wait to not answer that question again'.

"It's just that I want to go out and win a golf tournament. That's what we play golf for. That's what we practice hard for - and I haven't been able to do that in two-and-a-half years.

"You want to kind of reap your reward at the end, but this game will try your patience."

Furyk did win at the Chevron World Challenge in California last year, but that did not count as his 14th title. His last success on the PGA Tour came in the 2007 Canadian Open.

The 39-year-old, who had held a three-shot lead after the third round, was made to wait on Sunday as a thunderstorm delayed play by almost four hours.

That soon disappeared, though, as Choi (67) fired four birdies in five holes. Furyk responded, birdies of his own at the eighth, 10th and 12th putting him three clear again.

In the end the former world number two needed the cushion, as he missed the last three greens in regulation and only saved par on one hole thanks to a remarkable shot out of a very sodden bunker at the Copperhead course.

Chasing pack

Bubba Watson finished in third place on 11 under, with fellow American Nick Watney alone in fourth a further two shots adrift.

South African Retief Goosen took fifth spot on eight under ahead of Stephen Ames of Canada and Englishman Luke Donald, who started the week as he finished it - with a round of 71.

Padraig Harrington, who had led at the halfway stage, ended up in a five-way tie for eighth having started his day with an opening birdie that moved him briefly into a tie for second.

A 71 meant Justin Rose had to settle for a share of 13th, meaning he is still outside the world's top 50 a week before they are invited to The Masters.