Michael Thompson landed the second PGA Tour title of his career when he held his nerve on the final day of the 3M Open in Minnesota.
The 35-year-old, who in 2013 triumphed at the Honda Classic, endured a barren run following that breakthrough success but was a winner again on Sunday at TPC Twin Cities.
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Birdies at the 16th and 18th holes took Thompson to 19 under for a two-shot victory over Adam Long, whose weekend charge was almost rewarded with trophy success.
Long made birdie at the last as he followed his 63 from Saturday with a 64 to reach 17 under, which at the time gave him a share of the lead as Thompson navigated his way through the back nine.
With the pressure on, Thompson made a birdie three at 16 and parred the next to go to the final hole armed with a one-shot lead.
His second shot over water to the green gave Thompson two putts for the title from around 15 feet, and he drained his first attempt to complete a round of 67, sealing a first win in 167 starts.
Congratulations, Michael Thompson!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 26, 2020
A birdie at the last to win the @3MOpen.
It's been 2,702 days since his last victory.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/FYqLyI6r5h
A teary Thompson said: "It's been a long time. I'm really sad my wife and kids aren't here to celebrate this with me. I can't wait to see them.
"This is so exciting. I played such good golf today. I stayed within myself, believed in myself, and I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Victory earns Thompson a ticket to the US PGA Championship and U.S. Open, which he said meant "the world" to him, as well as a guaranteed two more years on the PGA Tour.
The leaderboard was highly congested, with nine players tying for third on 16 under: Robby Shelton, Charles Howell III, Emiliano Grillo, Alex Noren, Tony Finau, Max Homa, Cameron Tringale, Richy Werenski and Charl Schwartzel.
Werenski had been the overnight co-leader with Thompson but could only shoot 70 on the final day, his worst score of the week.
