Sean Crocker secured his maiden DP World Tour title after holding off Eddie Pepperell to claim a wire-to-wire victory at the Hero Open.
Crocker began the day with a two-shot lead but was joined at the summit early on as the chasing pack closed in on him at Fairmont St Andrews.
He led by one at the turn before starting the back nine with three birdies in four holes to reach 22 under par and stretch his advantage to two.
But with Englishman Pepperell in the clubhouse on 21 under, Crocker endured a nervy finish as he parred his way home to sign for a closing 68 and win by a single shot.
Crocker, who started the 2022 season with eight missed cuts and a retirement in his first nine events, was visibly relieved as he holed his four-foot par putt at the last to secure the trophy.
Pepperell finished alone in second, one shot behind Crocker after firing a brilliant Sunday 65, while home favourite David Law and Adrian Otaegui shared third place on 19 under.
South Africa’s Wilco Nienaber finished on 17 under for a share of seventh.
Winning your first Tour title in St Andrews 🏴
A moment that will live with Sean Crocker for a lifetime.#HeroOpen pic.twitter.com/QJrtef7Nna
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 31, 2022
Crocker showed great fighting spirit in the early stages of his fourth round, saving par from 10 feet at the second to stay at 18 under.
He got his first birdie of the day from close range at the 4th after hitting the flag with his chip shot and holing the two-foot putt that followed.
The American gave the shot back at the short 5th but made amends at the very next hole with a two-putt birdie from 32 feet.
Crocker closed the front nine with three straight pars to lead by one at the turn.
Two fantastic shots into the 10th set up an eight-foot birdie chance which Crocker duly converted to reach 20 under.
He saved par from five feet at the 11th before taking advantage of the par-five 12th for a fourth birdie of the day.
That briefly extended his lead to two shots but the charging Pepperell got his third birdie in four holes at the 15th to close the gap to one.
Crocker re-established his two-stroke advantage at the top as he trickled in his 15-foot birdie try on the 13th green for back-to-back gains.
He gave himself another good birdie chance at the 14th but his 12-foot effort slid just by.
Crocker drove the 15th green but had to settle for a three-putt par there after his birdie attempt lipped out.
Pepperell birdied the 18th a few holes ahead to set the clubhouse target on 21 under and close the gap to Crocker to one shot once more.
The leader stayed aggressive and created yet another chance for himself at the 16th but was not able to find the cup from 17 feet.
He produced a nerveless par save from seven feet at the tricky 17th to head to the 18th with a one-shot lead.
After sending his tee shot into the left rough, Crocker faced a difficult two-putt for par from the bottom tier of the green.
But he gave himself a four-foot putt which he managed to hole to enter the winner’s circle.
– Report from DP World Tour website
