PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic (AP) \u2014 Stefano Mazzoli of Italy won the Corales Puntacana Championship on Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory, closing with a 6-under 66 for a one-stroke victory.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old Mazzoli was one 50 European tour players in the co-sanctioned event played opposite the British Open. He earned a PGA Tour card through 2027 and jumped from 127th to 39th in the DP World Tour\u2019s Race to Dubai standings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just grateful and honored to win on tour,\u201d Mazzoli said. \u201cThat was a dream since I was a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Four strokes behind Todd Clements entering the round on the windswept Corales course, Mazzoli made a 24-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th to post at 20-under 268. He accepted PGA Tour membership after the round.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be pleased to play this (tour) next year and see where it goes,\u201d Mazzolli said.<\/p>\n
Clements, the English player who led after each of the first three days, had a 71 to tie for second with Gordon Sargent (67).<\/p>\n
Clements played the final six holes in 3 over, making a double bogey on the par-4 13th and a bogey on the par-4 16th.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, I\u2019m proud of how I played,\u201d Clements said. \u201cGave it my all, wasn\u2019t meant to be. That\u2019s part of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben James (70) and Will Gordon (66) were 18 under. James was making his fifth start at a professional. The former Virginia star earned a tour spot through the PGA Tour University ranking.<\/p>\n
Blades Brown tied for 11th at 15 under after a 70. The 19-year-old Brown is playing as a special temporary member of the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n