American Troy Merritt endured several weather delays to close with a five-under 67 and capture the Barbasol Championship by one stroke in a Monday finish. The 32-year-old Merritt claimed his second career Tour title after opening with a 10-under 62 to tie the course record and then highlighting his final round with an eagle-two by holing a 133-yard approach shot at the par-four eighth hole.
He finished at 23-under overall to edge out Billy Horschel (67), Tom Lovelady (68) and Richy Werenski (66) by a single shot. “To get a win like this late in the season and move up to No. 65 on the points list and secure a job for two more years, it’s a pretty good feeling,” said Merritt.
Merritt was one of 52 players who had to return to the course on Monday to finish the final round after a total of 5.2 inches of rain fell on the Keene Trace course in Kentucky over the week. He finished his third round on Saturday and did not begin his final round until Monday morning.
Just 21 players finished the fourth round on Sunday, resulting in the second Monday finish on the Tour this season following Jason Day’s playoff victory at the Farmers Insurance Open. American JT Poston was fifth on 21-under with Brian Gay sixth at 20-under. With victory, Merritt punches his ticket into next month’s USPGA Championship, the final major of the season. Merritt, who started his round as one of four men tied for the lead, also rolled in five birdies to hold off the rest of the field.

Leading British Open amateur Locke turns pro
 Teenage golfer Sam Locke turned professional on Monday just a day after winning the prestigious Silver Medal as the leading amateur in the British Open. The 19-year-old Scot was the only amateur to make the cut at the difficult Carnoustie course and he finished on nine over par. 
Locke, who has been supported by a foundation for young golfers set up by former Open champion Paul Lawrie, who lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999, saw no point in delaying his entry into the professional ranks any longer.
“I’ve decided to turn professional after winning the Silver Medal at the Open,” Locke said. “I just think for me, personally, it’s the right decision. I’ve always wanted to turn pro and compete with the best players in the world on the biggest stage and this week’s kind of accelerated my decision.”
He added: “I’ve always wanted to be a professional golfer from a young age and loved playing the game and competing and I just love the feeling of winning. “So I can’t wait to get going now — it’ll be good fun.”