GRAND BLANC, Mich., July 1 (UPI) -- Brian Bateman Sunday sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the PGA's Buick Open Golf Tournament at Grand Blanc, Mich.
Bateman shot 3-under 69 in the closing round to finish at 15-under 273.
His birdie avoided a possible playoff against Jason Gore (67), Woody Austin (69) and Justin Leonard (67) -- who finished in a tie for second at 14-under 274.
"I'm still trying to figure out what I did," Bateman said after he claimed a winner's check of $882,000. "I felt good all week. I felt like I was giving myself a lot of chances at birdies. I was patient just about every day and it just seemed to build."
Bateman also has one victory on the Nationwide Tour this season.
2003 winner Jim Furyk (70) shared fifth place with Steve Elkington (68), Scott Verplank (71), Marco Dawson (68) and John Rollins (67) at 13-under 275.
