Tim Clark finally won outside his native South Africa, surviving seven lead changes in a wild scramble among five players, then pulling away for a 4-under 67 and a two-shot victory Sunday in the Scottish Open.
Needing only two putts from 18 feet on the last hole, Clark made the birdie putt to finish at 19-under 265, tying the 72-hole scoring record at Loch Lomond set by Tom Lehman in 1997.
Lehman was never threatened that year. That was hardly the case for Clark.
He was among five players who had at least a share of the lead on another calm day at Loch Lomond, then had to outlast Maarten Lafeber in a tense duel along the back nine.
"I can now look to win more tournaments," Clark said. "To know I can play under the pressure is quite pleasing."
Lafeber, a 30-year-old Dutchman with one European tour victory, had a one-shot lead until he failed to match Clark's birdie on the par-5 13th, lipping out from 5 feet. Lafeber lost the lead for good when he three-putted from long range on the 15th.
Clark held it together after that, getting up-and-down from behind the par-3 17th green, then finding the fairway on the 18th hole, which has a lake running down the left side. He hit his approach to 18 feet, and Lafeber failed to convert his 25-foot birdie putt from just off the green.
"I just didn't want to leave myself a ticklish putt to win," Clark said. "I was quite relieved to see that go in."
Lafeber's consolation prize was a trip to the British Open as the low finisher at Loch Lomond not already exempt. He closed with a 69 to finish at 267, tied for second with Darren Clarke (66).
"Disappointing, but great to be in the Open," Lafeber said. "I played great today, but missed too many birdie chances and three-putted the 15th, and that stopped me. You need a bit of luck, but I didn't have any luck on the greens."
Clark earned $695,000, the largest paycheck of his career. His only two victories came at the South African Open in 2002 and earlier this year, although he also won twice on the minor league Nationwide Tour in the United States.
Clark said he held his victory in the Barclays Scottish Open in equal regard to his two titles in South Africa, but then considered the field he beat _ Clarke, Ernie Els, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson among them.
"In terms of the field, this is a bigger win," he said.
Clark was tied with Lafeber to start the final round, and they quickly had company. Angel Cabrera birdied three of his first four holes, while Clarke played his first four holes in 4 under, holing out for eagle from the fourth fairway.
Lafeber was the scariest of all, sticking his first two approach shots about a foot from the flag.
"I knew I was going to have a tough day," Clark said.
He wound up the winner, and now heads to St. Andrews loaded with confidence. Although it was only his third victory on a top tour, Clark has played well in the biggest events. He tied for third at the U.S. Open last month at Pinehurst No. 2, and finished third at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill two years ago.
Clarke dropped shots on two of the par 3s, but still had few complaints with his play.
"I've struggled with my game for most of the week, but we went onto the range last night for a couple of hours and figured a couple of things out," Clarke said. "I drove the ball really, really well today. Good finish for going into next week. You have to be long and straight next week and keep it out of the bunkers."
Ian Poulter closed with a 65 for the best score of the final round and finished fourth at 16-under 268. He played with Els, who never got anything going in his round of 68 to finish 11th.
Lehman had four birdies on his opening seven holes, but gave it back with four bogeys over his last six for a 71 to finish 12 shots behind. Mickelson had a 69 and wound up 14 shots out of the lead.
Tim Clark finally won outside his native South Africa, surviving seven lead changes in a wild scramble among five players, then pulling away for a 4-under 67 and a two-shot victory Sunday in the Scottish Open.