Date: July 16, 2007
Author:

Byrd flies over top of Green

American Jonathan Byrd flew home with three birdies over the last five holes to win the John Deere Classic in Illinois as Australian Nathan Green&aposs quest for a maiden US PGA Tour win was cruelled by an average final round. Leading by a stroke heading into the fourth day, Green could only manage an even-par 71 to finish at 15-under and tie for third alongside American Troy Matteson (66). Byrd, who started the day two shots back, took advantage of near-perfect conditions to fire a bogey-free, five-under 66 to post an 18-under score to win by one stroke from South African Tim Clark and book a place in next week&aposs British Open. Clark let slip a three-shot lead with nine holes to play before settling for a closing 68. Aussie Michael Sim hit a final-round three-under 68 to finish in a tie for 11th at 12-under, while compatriot Stephen Leaney was a shot further back. The win was Byrd&aposs first on the PGA Tour since the 2004 B.C. Open, and the 29-year-old couldn&apost hide his excitement at qualifying for his first British Open. “I don&apost have any other plans. I have no passport with me so I&aposm going to have to make a quick trip home and get that,” he told reporters. “I will probably need some different clothes for the British (Open). I&aposve never played there so I am pretty excited.” Of the other Australasians, Steve Allan finished on eight-under, Gavin Coles on five-under, New Zealander Phil Tataurangui on four-under, Paul Gow on four-under and Bronson Lacassie on three-under. Result from the John Deere Classic (par 71) -18 Jonathan Byrd 67 68 65 66 -17 Tim Clark 68 65 66 68 -15 Nathan Green 67 63 68 71, Troy Matteson 69 67 67 66 -14 Carl Petterson 67 64 71 68 -13 Heath Slocum 70 69 67 65, Kevin Sutherland 66 67 70 68, Jason Dufner 65 66 72 68, Jeff Gove 69 68 66 68, Neal Lancaster 64 68 70 69 Also: -12 Michael Sim 69 67 68 68 -11 Stephen Leaney 69 69 67 68 -8 Steve Allan 71 66 70 69 -5 Gavin Coles 72 68 68 71 -4 Paul Gow 69 68 72 71 -3 Bronson Lacassie 71 66 74 70