South Korean Bae Sang-moon scores first PGA Tour victory
South Korean loves the Texan city as he lifts his first PGA title in Byron Nelson Championship
With Dallas' large population of South Koreans, Bae Sang-moon was considering a move to the city before the Byron Nelson Championship.
His breakthrough victory may have closed the deal. "I love this place," Bae said. "I would move to Dallas tomorrow." The second-year PGA Tour player certainly felt at home with rounds of 66-66-66-69 in his first Nelson appearance.
In difficult scoring conditions, Bae handled the tough closing stretch with poise.
He birdied the par-five 16th, hit a gutsy shot over the water for par on 17 and then confidently drilled his drive in the fairway on the punishing 18th. His two-putt par from 22 feet kept him two strokes clear of 2011 Nelson champion Keegan Bradley, who had led the first three rounds.
When Bae's three-foot putt on 18 dropped, he thrust his arms in the air, shook Bradley's hand and then embraced his caddie.
Peggy Nelson congratulated him beside the green. "It's like a dream," Bae said. "It's something I've always dreamed of, winning on the PGA Tour.