Swede dreams at Greensboro

Posted on 18/08/08. Source: Sky Sports (By Sky Sports)

Carl Pettersson overcame a mid-round wobble to seal the Wyndham Championship by two shots at the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro.

The Swede carded a final round of 68 to finish on 21-under-par - a new record low total for the tournament.

American Scott McCarron was on his own in second place on 19-under, two shots clear of compatriot Rich Beem, who fired a 63 on Sunday.

Scotland's Martin Laird, who had led after the opening round, was tied with J J Henry for fourth with Paul Casey, looking for valuable Ryder Cup points, finished up a further four shots back.

However, it was Pettersson who finished on top of the leaderboard to seal something of a home triumph considering he is now based in North Carolina.

Having led by two going into the fourth round, the 30-year-old picked up two birdies on the front nine to remain clear, albeit his advantage was down to just one.

But back-to-back dropped shots at the 10th and 11th, both due to missed putts from short range, saw him slip from top spot.

McCarron took over at the summit though for all of one hole, a bogey at the 12th seeing him drop down to second again. He ended up signing for a 68.

Pettersson made sure he didn't make the same mistake again, three birdies in the space of four holes on the back nine putting him well clear.

He could even afford a bogey at the last to seal his third title on the PGA Tour and first since his success at the Memorial Tournament in 2006.

"I'm Swedish, but I really feel American, to be honest with you," said Pettersson, who still harbours hopes of playing in next month's Ryder Cup.

"My heritage is European and I would love to play on Nick's team. I'm going to be playing hard for Europe if I make that team."

It was a fabulous weekend for Beem and fellow American JJ Henry, who both played themselves into next week's Barclays Championship - the first of four play-off events in the FedEx Cup series.

Beem has had a dismal season, with just a solitary top-20 finish to his name, but, as last year, found some form at the right time in a bid to secure his playing rights for next season, firing 63-63 on the weekend.