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Texas glory for Parnevik

Tony Snow
Monday 15 May 2000 00:00 BST
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The GTE Byron Nelson Classic in Texas was claimed by Sweden's Jesper Parnevik, who saw off Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson in a three-way play-off.

The 35-year-old Ryder Cup star completed a par four at the third sudden-death decider to secure his fourth US PGA Tour win, having also enjoyed five victories on the European Tour.

After all three had parred the first play-off hole, Mickelson was the first to drop out after his 10-foot birdie putt at the par-three 17th just lipped out.

Love and Parnevik had already secured twos from 20 feet and four feet respectively.

It was the first time the 29-year-old left-hander had not come out on top in four play-offs at US PGA Tour tournaments.

Love, who had only won one of his six previous play-offs, then fired his tee shot at the par-four 18th wide of the fairway and could only chip to within eight feet after missing the green with his second.

Parnevik, meanwhile, was 15 feet from the hole after his second shot and putted to within three feet with his third.

Love's par putt scraped just to the left of the hole and Parnevik made no mistake with his effort.

All three had finished on 11 under after 72 holes of regulation play - Mickelson closing with a five-under-par 65, Parnevik a 66 and Love, who had topped the leaderboard going into the final day, a 69.

Tiger Woods fired the best round of the tournament, a seven-under 63, to claim a share of fourth spot on 10 under.

The world number one was happy to complete his return to form after an opening-round 73 had put him in danger of missing the cut.

Woods said: "I was pretty pleased with the way I hung in there. I played the quality shots I needed to hit and made a few putts.

"I'm very pleased to be back on the right track again. I was a lot more comfortable with my swing and just went out there and struck the ball beautifully."

Joint third-round leader John Huston also finished on 10 under after a 70.

Spanish sensation Sergio Garcia could only manage a level-par 70 and slipped back to joint-15th on four under.

Nick Faldo made some headway with a 68 to finish on one over, which left him tied for 41st.

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