Kraft claims Puerto Rico Open victory

MIAMI (Reuters) - American Greg Kraft won his first PGA Tour title at the Puerto Rico Open on Sunday when he won by one shot from compatriots Jerry Kelly and Bo Van Pelt.

The 43-year-old finished on a 14-under-par total of 274 after a final round 70 at the Trump International course that featured three birdies and a solitary bogey at the 18th.

Van Pelt had led after each of the previous rounds but could only manage an even-par 72 on the final day despite an eagle on the fifth.

The 32-year-old bogeyed the eighth and ninth and then on the back nine he cancelled out his two birdies with a pair of bogeys.

In contrast, Kraft produced a solid and consistent round with three birdies and despite his last-hole slip he was safely home for victory.

Kelly matched Kraft's 70 to finish in a tie for second as Kevin Stadler and Briny Baird finished a further shot back to share fourth .

For Kraft, who has come back from serious illness to rebuild his career, it was a hugely satisfying win.

"You never knew if it was going to come. I mean, I worked and worked and worked. In the late '90s, early 2000, I was close a lot," he said.

"Then I got sick, and to be honest with you, I didn't know if I was ever going to play again even less win a tournament. But here I am, I knocked it out, four solid days.

"I didn't, you know, make too many mistakes. It was a day of patience," he said.

(Writing by Simon Evans in Miami; editing by Miles Evans)