Date: April 30, 2007
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Pampling makes late move

Australian Rod Pampling has finished equal 10th at seven-under, six strokes behind local hero Scott Verplank, who won his hometown event with a narrow one-stroke victory over Englishman Luke Donald at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship. Verplank took control with five birdies in eight holes mid-round, before hanging on down the stretch to finally prevail in his 21st appearance in the event, seven months after Nelson&aposs death. He carded 66 to finish at 13-under, earning his fifth PGA Tour victory, with third-round leader Donald (68) the runner-up on 12-under. Donald had a chance to force a play-off, but his 10-foot birdie chance at the final hole missed left. “I thought I hit a good putt,” said Donald, who nonetheless realised what the victory meant to Verplank. “You could see when he won it was a special moment for him.” Phil Mickelson flirted with contention during the final round, finishing tied for third with Jerry Kelly, Rory Sabbatini and Ian Poulter, three shots behind. Pampling fired a final-round 66 to soar up the leaderboard late, while compatriot Steve Allan had a 67 to finish on five-under. Final scores from the EDS Byron Nelson Championship -13: Scott Verplank (USA) 67 68 66 66 -12: Luke Donald (England) 67 66 67 68 -10: Phil Mickelson (USA) 69 70 66 65, Jerry Kelly (USA) 69 70 67 64, Rory Sabbatini (South Africa) 70 69 67 64, Ian Poulter (England) 70 69 65 66 -9: Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) 67 67 71 66, Ken Duke (USA) 68 73 64 66 -8: Ryuji Imada (Japan) 70 68 67 67 -7: Stephen Marino (USA) 69 67 70 67, Rodney Pampling (Australia) 68 70 69 66, Brett Wetterich (USA) 66 68 72 67 -6: Vijay Singh (Fiji) 69 67 69 69, Chad Campbell (USA) 73 65 69 67, J J Henry (USA) 72 69 67 66, John Merrick (USA) 68 69 70 67, Bo Van Pelt (USA) 68 72 68 66, Bob Tway (USA) 71 67 69 67 -5: Michael Allen (USA) 69 69 64 73, John Rollins (USA) 70 71 66 68, Shaun Micheel (USA) 69 71 67 68, Mike Weir (Canada) 70 68 69 68, Carl Pettersson (Sweden) 73 68 67 67, Steve Allan (Australia) 69 68 71 67 Also: -3: Stephen Leaney (Australia) 70 68 70 69, Nathan Green (Australia) 67 70 73 67 -2: Robert Allenby (Australia) 68 70 69 71, John Senden (Australia) 67 69 71 71 -1: Gavin Coles (Australia) 70 69 71 69, Steve Elkington (Australia) 70 70 70 69