Verplank's Byron Nelson Dream Becomes Reality

Scott Verplank, who as a teenager got to know Byron Nelson and play several rounds with the former star, gestures skyward after winning the Byron Nelson Championship. (Tony Gutierrez - AP)

Finally, after so many tries, Scott Verplank won the tournament he's always wanted to win. This victory at home in Irving, Tex., was for the late Byron Nelson.

"There's no question in my mind that the stars lined up and I got a little help from upstairs. I just haven't been playing that good," Verplank said. "I think Byron had a hand in this week."

Verplank, who as a teenager growing up in Dallas got to know Nelson and play several rounds with the former star, used three straight birdies and an incredible par save from a bunker at No. 17 to win the first Byron Nelson Championship played without its namesake.

When his final two-foot par putt at No. 18 dropped yesterday for a one-stroke victory over Luke Donald, Verplank no longer had to hold his emotions. After initially dropping his head into his hands, he looked up with a smile on his face.

"I just kept saying: 'Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!' I couldn't believed that it happened. It was a dream," Verplank said. "Then I looked up and said, 'Thank you.' Incredible."

Sadly missing was a personal congratulation from Nelson, who died Sept. 26 at age 94. But Nelson's wife, Peggy, was there clutching one of his famed fedoras in her hand when she hugged Verplank.

"Byron would be very, very happy for Scott. I am, too," Peggy Nelson said. "The friendship they had, it's great to see it culminate this way."

In 1968, Nelson became the first golfer to have a PGA Tour event named after him, and he would always greet players finishing their rounds at the 18th green before taking part in the awards ceremony.

Verplank closed with a 4-under-par 66 for a 13-under 267 total, a stroke ahead of Donald (68) for his fifth PGA Tour victory and first since the 2001 Canadian Open. Phil Mickelson (65), Jerry Kelly (64), Rory Sabbatini (64) and Ian Poulter (66) tied for third at 10 under.

It was the 21st Nelson tournament for Verplank, 42, who received a check for $1.134 million for his efforts.

? LPGA: Silvia Cavalleri became the first Italian winner in Tour history, closing with a 7-under 66 for a two-stroke victory over Mexican star Lorena Ochoa and Paraguay's Julieta Granada in the Corona Morelia Championship in Morelia, Mexico.

Cavalleri finished with a 20-under 272 total on the Tres Marias course and earned $195,000. She had seven birdies in her bogey-free final round in light rain.

Ochoa, the 2006 winner playing her first tournament as the No. 1 player in the world, shot a 68. Granada, also second last year, also finished with a 68.

Cavalleri took the lead with birdies on Nos. 5-7, and Ochoa pushed hard, but missed several birdies. She lost a ball on the 15th, but came back to par the hole.

"The first birdie gave me confidence," Cavalleri said. "It's like a dream come true. I have a lot of emotions running through me."

She said the turning point came with a birdie on the 17th hole.

Pat Hurst shot a 70 to finish fourth, five strokes back at 15 under. South Korean rookie Na On Min (72) followed at 13 under.