Weather fails to halt Horschel charge

Billy Horschel charged to a maiden PGA Tour victory as an eight-under-par 64 gave him a one-stroke win over DA Points at a stormy Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The 26-year-old from Florida was simply brilliant on the final day and even a weather delay on the last hole did not put him off.

Horschel had played his first shot on the par-five 18th when the weather horn sounded for a threat of storms, with he and his peers heading back to the clubhouse for the second time in the day.

Upon returning, Horschel finished with a huge birdie putt – the ninth of his round against one bogey – to take him from 19 to 20 under par for the tournament.

And it proved crucial, too, as playing partner Points also birdied to finish 19 under par.

The start of play had been brought forward to accommodate the anticipated bad weather, but when the heavens opened early on, a three-hour delay was served.

Overnight leader Lucas Glover had remained a shot ahead of the rest at that point, but upon returning he was blown away by Horschel and Points, with Kyle Stanley also nipping ahead of him.

Stanley shot a 67 to finish third on 17 under, two clear of Glover and Bobby Gates.

Glover simply could not find the birdies he needed to compete and picked up just two shots, at the 10th and 11th, to go with one bogey at the seventh.

Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts led the European challenge at 13 under, one stroke clear of Justin Rose.

Chinese teenager Guan Tianlang, who made such an impact at the Masters finished last among those who made the cut on four over.