AFP, United States :
Brandt Snedeker ended a near 20-month victory drought in emphatic style on Sunday with a record-setting triumph in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Snedeker, the 2013 winner of the $6.8 million US PGA Tour event, had five birdies in a flawless five-under par 67 for a 22-under par total of 265 and a three-stroke win over Nick Watney.
He broke his own record 72-hole total of 267 set in 2013.
“It feels awesome,” said Snedeker, who had fallen to 63rd in the world and with the win secured his berth in the first major of the year, April’s Masters at Augusta National.
“I’m emotional right now,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I felt this feeling and it’s really special.”
The 2012 FedEx Cup playoffs winner endured a lean year in 2014, when he notched just three top-10 finishes on the US Tour as he battled injury and troubles with his short game.
Sunday’s win was his first since the 2013 Canadian Open.
Watney fired a three-under 69 for 268. Charlie Beljan was a further shot back on 269 after a final-round 66.
Australia’s Jason Day, who won last week’s tournament at Torrey Pines in a playoff, shook off illness during the week to finished tied for fourth with Americans Dustin Johnson and Pat Perez.
