Ryan Gerard claimed his first DP World Tour and PGA TOUR victory with a three-point win at the Barracuda Championship.
The Barracuda Championship is the only event on the PGA TOUR or DP World Tour schedule which uses the Modified Stableford scoring system, with players receiving two points for a birdie, five for an eagle and eight for an albatross, and deducted one point for a bogey and three for a double.
After a slow start in round one at Tahoe Mountain Club with seven points, American Gerard found another gear, registering 27 points across rounds two and three to to share the lead fater 54 holes.
He then made two eagles in a closing effort of 13 points to finish on 47, three ahead of 2021 champion Erik van Rooyen.
Todd Clements then led the DP World Tour charge in third on 39 points after picking up 16 in his final round to sit two ahead of Jacques Kruyswijk, who made a spectacular hole-out eagle from the fairway on the par-four ninth in his closing circuit.
"It's one of those things that when you're a kid it's just all you dream of doing," said Gerard. "Put in a lot of hours trying to get here, and it's pretty cool. It's really special. It's something that I can take with me forever and hopefully it's the first of many.
"It's like a six year old Ryan's dream come true. I mean, a guaranteed couple of year exemption to continue living out my dream, guaranteed a lot of things, just opportunities that I wouldn't have without it.
"It's cool to be a PGA TOUR winner. Can't ever take that away from you."
For Englishman Clements, third represents his best result so far this season and catapults him to a share of fifth on the Closing Swing and into the mix for the DP World Tour Play-Offs.
"I just felt like I've been playing really nice all week," he said. "I just didn't take my opportunities and a few slip-ups here and there.
"Just everything come together today. Hit a lot of good numbers and hit a lot of good putts. Yeah, nice round of golf to finish.
"Coming here I think it's a great opportunity for everyone. Absolutely delighted to have the opportunity the last couple of years. I love coming here. I feel like it's a golf retreat. I mean, absolute paradise.
"I think everyone enjoys it and what it means for us coming over here. Yeah, it's great fun."
