Donald errors hand Verplank win

Verplank took advantage of Donald's stumble

FINAL LEADERBOARD
US unless stated
-13 S Verplank
-12 L Donald (Eng)
-10 R Sabbatini (SA), J Kelly, P Mickelson, I Poulter (Eng)
Selected other:
-6 V Singh (Fij)

England's Luke Donald was left counting the cost of a damaging three-putt as Scott Verplank won the Byron Nelson Championship in Texas by one shot.

Donald, who led after the second and third rounds, remained on top until the ninth hole, where he hit a tree and three-putted to drop two shots.

American Verplank pounced and at the 18th Donald missed a birdie putt to tie at 13 under and force a play-off.

Phil Mickelson, Rory Sabbatini, Jerry Kelly and Ian Poulter tied for third.

While Donald crucially slipped at the midpoint in the round, a run of five birdies in eight holes pushed Verplank towards his fifth PGA tour title.

The win was all the sweeter for Verplank as he was once tutored by Nelson, who died seven months ago, and he had also worked as a volunteer at the tournament, in his home town.

It's not much fun finishing second Luke Donald

Donald had a chance to force a play-off with a birdie putt at the final hole, but missed from 10 feet and finished with a 68.

"I thought I hit a good putt," said the 29-year-old Donald, who now has four runner-up finishes to go with his two wins on the PGA Tour.

"I will look at the positive, but right now I'm disappointed.

"I've had a couple of good chances this year and I came here to win today. It's not much fun finishing second.

"I got off to a great start, three birdies in six holes. I was feeling really good about my game and rolling the ball very well.

"Everything was good, and then I just got a little quick with my swing the next three holes and hit a few shots left."

Verplank admitted he had struggled to hold his nerve.

"I've never been so nervous in my life," he said. "To be from Dallas and win the Byron Nelson is unbelievable."