Rookie of the Year Daniel Berger picks up his first win at the St Jude Classic

Berger shot an impressive 67 to close out victory

Most players crowned Rookie of the Year pick up at least one win on their way to that award. Daniel Berger, Rookie of the Year for the 2014-2015 season, took the crown for a series of accomplished performances that saw him finish 25th on the PGA Tour money list, but didn’t have a tour title to his name until yesterday. 

Berger’s final round 67 gave left him on 13-under for the week and left him with a three-shot winning margin over Brooks Koepka, Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson. 

”To do that with so many great players – Hall of Famers – behind me, it’s something that I’ll never forget and I just love the way I hung in there and was able to get it done,” said the 23-year-old American. “I’m just a competitor. I got off to a terrible start today and I just grinded it out and was able to get some putts to fall.” 

Berger picked up a cheque for $1.1 million in his 50th career start. 

Confidence is high as Berger prepares to compete in this week’s U.S. Open at Oakmont. He finished T-28 in his only previous U.S. Open appearance in 2014. 

”When I played in the Masters for the first time I think I finished tenth, five shots behind and didn’t really play that great,” said Berger, who . ”So, you know, if I can go in there next week and play good, then obviously I have what it takes to get the W.”

Several big name players put in strong performances in the final warm-up before the U.S. Open. 

Phil Mickelson, who needs a U.S. Open title to complete a career grand slam, shot a final round 67 to keep himself in contention, while Dustin Johnson shot 29 on the back-nine for an impressive 63. 

Watch the highlights from the final round of the St Jude Classic: