Charley Hoffman wins Valero Texas Open by one shot

24 April 2016 10:53

Charley Hoffman won the Valero Texas Open on Sunday as the challenges of Ricky Barnes and Brendan Steele melted away with dismal closing rounds.

Barnes began the day one shot clear of Steele, but the leading duo signed for rounds of 74 and 75 respectively as they tumbled down the leaderboard.

That left Hoffman, steadily in contention all week without topping the leaderboard, to sweep in and collect the silverware. He birdied the 18th with a nine-foot putt for a round of 69 that kept him just in front of Patrick Reed at 12 under for the tournament.

It was Hoffman's first title since the OHL Classic in November 2014, and ended a frustrating run of near misses for the Californian.

"It's fun," he said on the PGA Tour website. "This last month was hard, being in contention every Sunday and not closing the door. That's not me. Nice to make that putt for sure."

Reed also birdied the 18th to match Hoffman's 69, but a bogey on the seventh, and missed birdie putts on the 16th and 17th, proved costly as he finished at 11 under.

Chad Collins recovered from bogeys on the 10th and 12th with four birdies in the final five holes to take third place.

Barnes' hopes of carrying the day began to unravel early on as he bogeyed the opening hole and then, after getting that shot back on the fourth, recorded bogeys on the sixth and ninth. Things got no better on the way back to the clubhouse as further bogeys followed on the 10th and 12th before birdies on the 13th and 18th salvaged a share of fourth place.

It was even worse for Steele, the 2011 winner here, as he had six bogeys and three birdies in a round of 75 which sent him down into a tie for 13th.

He was joined there by Luke Donald who likewise slipped dramatically down the leaderboard with a closing round of 74.

Source: PA