An ugly win still counts as a victory, but few in recent memory have been as sloppy as Steven Bowditch’s final round at the Valero Texas Open.
The 4-over 76 was enough to give the 30-year-old Australian his first career PGA Tour title, but it also put him in dubious company.
The 76 was the highest final-round score by a non-major winner since Fred Couples shot 77 and prevailed in a playoff at the 1983 Kemper Open. Bowditch was the first player since 1970 to win outright after shooting 76 on the final day.
Lon Hinkle closed with 77 at the 1979 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am and won in a playoff, while Roger Maltbie captured the 1976 Memorial in a playoff after shooting a final-round 76.
Including majors, Vijay Singh recently won the 2004 PGA Championship in a playoff after a Sunday 76.