Graeme McDowell wins in Dominican Republic

McDowell carded five birdies and two bogeys in a closing 69 to finish 18 under par, a shot ahead of Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes and American Chris Stroud, who had held a one-shot lead with two holes to play.

However, while Stroud bogeyed the par-three 17th, playing partner McDowell hit a superb tee shot to six feet and converted the birdie putt before both players bogeyed the 18th.

The victory gives McDowell a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and will lift the former US Open champion from 257th in the world to inside the top 150.

“It’s been a rough few years,” the 39-year-old said. “It’s been a grind. On 16 green, I said to myself, ‘You’ve got to do something that’s tournament-winning’. The shot to 17 was tournament-winning level.”

McDowell began the day with a one-shot lead and surged three clear thanks to three birdies in the first four holes, but Stroud birdied four holes in a row from the fourth and also picked up shots on the 14th and 15th to take the lead before suffering a costly finish.

Ireland’s Paul Dunne finished in a tie for 12th following a final round of 71.

Speaking about the crucial birdie on the 17th, McDowell added: “I’ve been struggling with my long-iron play all week, medium and long-iron play.

“It’s a shot I’ve been working on on the range the last few days and it was a perfect six iron, it was a perfect number for me and when it came off the bat I knew it was pretty good.”

Stroud was magnanimous in defeat, adding: “To be honest, Graeme earned it. He hit some great shots and 17 is a perfect example.

“He hit a lot of good shots today and didn’t get rewarded. He got rewarded there.

“I hit the ball really poorly today and I did a really, really good job of making awesome pars, making some birdies when I had a chance.

“I just hit it pretty poorly, and to have a chance to win hitting it that poorly makes me feel pretty good. Even coming down the last two holes, I hit a pretty poor chip on 17 after hitting a horrendous six iron.”