Points seals Houston Open, Masters invite

HOUSTON – American DA Points held his nerve through a late weather delay to claim a one shot victory at the Houston Open on Sunday and earn a ticket to the Masters.

Monday, April 01, 2013
D.A. Points celebrates winning the Shell Houston Open. Net photo.

LEADERBOARD* -16: DA Points* -15: H Stenson (Swe), B Horschel* -14: D Johnson, B Crane* Selected others: -13 B Davis (Eng); -11 L Westwood (Eng); -4 R McIlroy (NI)HOUSTON – American DA Points held his nerve through a late weather delay to claim a one shot victory at the Houston Open on Sunday and earn a ticket to the Masters.Clinging to a one shot advantage over clubhouse leader Henrik Stenson with four holes to play, Points had his momentum interrupted when a storm swept across the Redstone Golf Club and forced the evacuation of the course.When play resumed after a nearly three hours, Points picked up where he left off by carding four consecutive pars to return a bogey-free six-under 66 for a winning total of 16-under 272, one shot clear of Swede Stenson (66) and compatriot Billy Horschel (66).Dustin Johnson (65) and Ben Crane (68) finished two shots back on 14-under 274.It was the second career PGA Tour win for Points, who failed to make the cut in seven of nine starts this season and whose best previous finish was a tie for 63rd."I’ve been having a really tough year,” Points said. "To have a putt to win, you want that starting out every week.  "I would have liked for it to have been closer.”After a bogey at the 13th, Stenson’s shot at the title appeared to disappear but the Swede produced a sizzling finish with four birdies over his final five holes, including the 17th and 18 to keep the pressure on Points.But Points did not crack, rolling in a nerve-jangling 13-foot par putt at the last with a putter he borrowed from his mother to clinch the victory.