American Brian Bateman posted his first victory on the PGA Tour in dramatic fashion, rolling in 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to capture the Buick Open.

The clutch putt snapped a four-way tie for the lead as the Californian notched his first victory in 159 career starts on tour.

"When the putt went in I was thrilled to death," Bateman said. "It seemed like it took forever to get to the hole, but it went right in the middle.  I just went blank. I just threw my hands up and said, 'Man, I finally did it'."

Bateman carded a final-round 69 to finish at 15-under 273. He edged Jason Gore, Justin Leonard and Woody Austin, who appeared braced for a playoff until Bateman's winning putt.

"It's a life-changing week," Bateman said. "Life-changing putt, but like I told someone outside, my wife and I are pretty simple people and I doubt this is going to change us much."

The 34-year-old journeyman's previous best finishes on tour were a pair of ties for third place.

Bateman has been dreadful this year, missing the cut in four of eight tournaments. His best finish was a tie for 31st at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in February.

"I'm still trying to figure out what I did," Bateman said. "I felt good all week. I felt like I was giving myself a lot of chances at birdies. I was patient just about every day and it just seemed to build."

Gore and Leonard each signed for a five-under-par 67 at Warwick Hills Golf Club. Austin carded a three-under 69 to grab a share of the clubhouse lead.

"I thought I had to shoot seven or eight under today to have a shot," Gore said.  "It was blustery today.  We had some different wind. The greens got really hard and it made it very difficult because by late in the day, there are heel prints.

"It was a great tournament. You had 10 guys who could win at any point. It was who stepped up and pulled the trophy away, and Brian did it. Take your hats off to him."

Leonard carded seven birdies and two bogeys in posting his best finish of the year.  The 1997 Open champion, he had missed the cut in nine of 16 events this year, including the first six.

"It feels very good.  It's amazing, because it's been so long, but it's still a very familiar feeling," Leonard said. "I feel fortunate that it is, that I don't have to get in there a few times to really get comfortable. I was nervous today, but somewhat comfortable, and I think I was able to use some of that energy to my advantage."

Tom Pernice entered the day with a one-shot lead but stumbled to a three-over 75 to finish four shots back at 276.

Ireland's Darren Clarke finished at six under par.