Scott Verplank wins EDS Byron Nelson Championship; Cavalleri beats Ochoa for Corona Championship victory

Scott Verplank realized his dream yesterday of winning the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, which was absent its namesake this year following Nelson’s passing in September. Verplank, who got to know Nelson as a teenager growing up in Dallas, shot a final-round 4-under-par 66 to defeat Luke Donald by a stroke. It is his fifth PGA Tour victory …

“There’s no question in my mind that the stars lined up, and I got a little help from upstairs,” Verplank said. “I just haven’t been playing that good. I think Byron had a hand in this week.”

Silvia Cavalleri became the first Italian to win on the LPGA Tour yesterday at the Corona Championship. She shot a final-round 7-under 66 to defeat local favorite Lorena Ochoa and Julieta Granada by two strokes in Morelia, Mexico …

Charl Schwartzel of South Africa scored a late eagle yesterday to win the Spanish Open. The 22-year-old golfer closed with a 5-under 67 to defeat Jyoti Randhawa of India by one stroke. This is Schwartzel’s second European Tour victory …

Meanwhile, Australia’s Nick Flanagan defeated Chris Baryla in a playoff yesterday to win the Nationwide Tour’s Henrico County Open. It is his first Nationwide Tour victory …

At FloridaGolfGuide.com, Tim McDonald gives a few tips on great golf courses to play near Interstate-75 in Florida.