DUBLIN (Ohio) • Golfer Jason Dufner saved the best for last, biding his time through a late lightning delay before sinking a 32-foot putt to win the Memorial tournament in Ohio on Sunday.

It was the longest putt Dufner had holed all tournament, and completed an epic comeback for the American, who earned a three-stroke victory over compatriot Rickie Fowler and India's Anirban Lahiri at Muirfield Village.

He carded a 68 to finish at 13-under 275, becoming the second Ohio-born player to win the prestigious event after Jack Nicklaus, the tournament's host and founder.

"That's pretty good company to have," Dufner said.

A day after shooting a miserable 77 to turn a five-stroke lead into a four-shot deficit on Saturday, Dufner roared back in the final round for his fifth PGA Tour win.

"Yesterday I was pretty disappointed, especially (after) how well I played the first two days," he said in a greenside interview after being congratulated by Nicklaus.

"I had to get over it quick. I knew I was still in the mix.

"I just needed to get myself together. Making the turn even was good and then I felt comfortable to get a little aggressive on the back."

Dufner's victory was not as comfortable as the final margin might suggest.

While there was no pressure on the long putt, Dufner sank it anyway.

"The 30-footers are a little easier than the three-footers apparently," he joked.

REUTERS