Golf Report: Brian Bateman, a 16/1 Long Shot, Takes Buick Open Title

Ecstatic Brian Bateman wins the Buick Open by one shot and takes home $882,000. (AP Images)

The usual stars stayed away from the Buick Open, boosting the chances for the rest of the field. Brian Bateman still didn't think he had a shot.

Bateman, who entered 204th on the money list, birdied the final hole Sunday to break a four-way tie and become the improbable winner of the Buick Open by one stroke.

"I didn't really have any expectations," he said.

Bateman entered he final round with PGA odds of 16/1 to come out victorious. He closed with a 3-under to finish 15-under 273, the highest-winning score at Warwick Hills since 1997, to claim his first victory on the PGA Tour. He had finished third in two previous tournaments.

Jason Gore (67), Justin Leonard (67) and Woody Austin (69) finished tied for second. Jim Furyk (70) and Scott Verplank (71) were in a group of five that were two shots behind Bateman.

In a tournament that started in 1958, Bateman was just the second player to birdie 18 for a one-shot victory. Rocco Mediate did it in 2000.

The 34-year-old from Monroe, La., earned an $882,000 check - surpassing his total earnings in all but one of his previous five years on the PGA Tour.

Cristie Kerr Wins Women's US Open

Cristie Kerr of Miami shot a final-round 70 to win the Women's US Open at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, N.C. On 5-under-par 279, Kerr won $560,000 to claim her 10th LPGA title but her first major.

Mexico's Loreena Ochoa, who shot a 71, and Brazil's Angela Park, who birdied the last for a 70, were tied for second two shots behind on 3-under. South Koreans Pak Se-ri, with a best final round of 68, and Park In-bee (69), tied for fourth on 2-under.

For British Open odds and PGA golf odds, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.