Bateman birdies last to drive away with Buick

GRAND BLANC, Michigan, July 2 (Reuters) American Brian Bateman rolled in a pressure-packed 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to clinch his maiden career PGA Tour win at the Buick Open.

Without a top 30 finish this season, Bateman mixed four birdies with a single bogey for three-under 69 and a one-shot victory over Jason Gore and former Buick champions Justin Leonard and Woody Austin, yesteday.

Bateman stepped onto the 18th tee at Warwick Hills Golf Club needing a birdie to keep the 4.9 million dollars tournament from going to a playoff with Gore, Leonard and Austin all in the clubhouse at 14-under.

Six former winners had been among the 20 players within three shots of the lead with nine holes to play, and Bateman had looked an unlikely threat.

But the 34-year-old held his nerve to become the eighth first time winner on the PGA Tour this season with a total 15-under 273, earning a coveted invitation to the US Masters next year.

''I'm still trying to figure out what I did,'' Bateman told reporters. ''I've been out here for six years and only played in one major, the 2004 PGA.

''I've never come close to playing at Augusta because I always battled through Q-school every year.

''It's a life-changing week. Life-changing putt.'' With Tiger Woods deciding not to defend his Buick crown to spend time with his new born daughter and three-times winner Vijay Singh at home resting a nagging elbow injury, this year's event was wide open.

But even with the absence of most of the world's top players, Bateman had offered little hint he was about to end his run of 150 PGA Tour events without a win.

In six years his best previous career results were a pair of third place ties and in eight events this season he had missed the cut four times, his top finish a 31st at the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

''I've just struggled,'' said Bateman, who had never finished higher than 60th in six previous visits to Warwick Hills. ''I've really battled each and every week to stay above ground.

''I think more than anything else I got ahead of myself, and was hard on myself.

''Maybe that was the key this week. I tried to take it easy and enjoy it.'' REUTERS BJR KP0934