Kang wins Byron Nelson for first PGA Tour title

There was no reason for Sung Kang to fret about the closing holes in the AT&T Byron Nelson.

He was in the right groove to finish the job for his first PGA Tour victory.

Kang, a South Korean, flourished down the stretch, completing a long day by capturing the tournament title in Dallas on Sunday.

"I feel amazing," Kang said. "I've done it today, so it feels just amazing. ... I thought I was going to be more nervous and things like that. I was really calm and really different."

Kang shot a 4-under 67 in the final round to finish at 23-under 261 at Trinity Forest Golf Club, giving him a two-stroke victory.

For Kang, 31, it was his 159th tournament appearance on the PGA Tour. He's the ninth first-time winner on tour this season.

Matt Every (66), who began the final round with five birdies and a bogey across the first six holes, and Scott Piercy (64) tied for second at 21 under.

"I could have hit better shots," Every said. "Sung played really good. It would have been tough to beat him."

Brooks Koepka (65), who goes into this week's PGA Championship as the defending champion, finished fourth at 20 under.

Great Britain's Matt Jones (67) bogeyed the final hole and dropped into a five-way tie for fifth place at 17 under.

Despite several golfers putting up scores to make them contenders, Kang didn't flinch. He notched birdies on Nos. 14-16 to create a three-shot edge.

"I was mentally really tired," Kang said. .".. When we'd get to the (next) hole, I'd try to make birdie again."

Kang lives in the Dallas area, although he said he had played this course only a few times more than any of the other golfers in the field.

"I got here (in the Dallas area) actually back in 2002," said Kang, who was able to stay at home during the tournament. "My dad sent me over here to practice in wintertime and summertimes."

Most golfers had to finish the third round Sunday before the final round began, creating a long day for contenders. So while Every was the overnight leader, Kang held a three-shot advantage going into the final round.

Every had four straight bogeys while completing the third round. Meanwhile, Kang was back in front with three back-side birdies Sunday morning.

Piercy and Koepka were five shots off the lead going to the last round.

Kang, whose second-round 61 allowed him to jump into the lead, took a nap at the course between the third and fourth rounds. He appeared plenty energized for the last task.

"I just tried to save as much energy as I could save and I was still fresh," Kang said. "Take a couple naps, ready to go."

Despite the outcome, Koepka put together good rounds and that puts him in a nice mindset going into the second major of the season.

"I'm seeing the lines quite well right now," he said. "The touch is pretty good."

Spain's Carlos Ortiz made a big move in the final round, with an eagle on the first hole and going 5 under through seven holes. He ended up with a 65 for the round and 15 under for the tournament.

--Field Level Media