SAO PAULO – Andrew Svoboda rallied to win the Web.com Tour’s Brazil Champions on Sunday, closing with a birdie to overcome a one-stroke deficit to Bhavik Patel.
Svoboda birdied the par-4 18th for a 4-under 67, and Patel closed with a bogey to finish a stroke back in his second event since returning for a doping suspension and hip injury.
The 36-year-old Svoboda finished at 23-under 261 at Sao Paulo Golf Club and earned $126,000 for his third career Web.com Tour title. He won twice on the tour in 2013 and tied for second in 2014 in the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The former St. John’s player is from Larchmont, New York.
The 25-year-old Patel, a former Fresno State player from Bakersfield, California, also closed with a 67. He sat out last season after being suspended for violating the PGA Tour’s anti-doping policy.
Patel tied Svoboda with a par on the par-3 15th, and pulled ahead with a birdie on the par-4 16th.
Anders Albertson was third at 20 under after a 66. He birdied three of the last four holes.
Martin Flores birdied the final two holes for a 68 to finish third at 19 under.
Ryan Armour and Sebastian Cappelen were 18 under. Armour birdied the last two holes for 65. He won the season-opening event in Panama and leads the money list with $158,176. Cappelen, from Switzerland, shot a 68.
Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., was the low Canadian. The former Team Canada member carded a final round 67 to finish at 14 under.