Crocker holds off Pepperell to win Hero Open

American Sean Crocker held off a spirited challenge from Eddie Pepperell to claim his first DP World Tour title with a wire-to-wire victory in the Hero Open.

Crocker carded a final round of 68 at Fairmont St Andrews to finish 22 under par and a shot ahead of Pepperell, who had piled on the pressure with a closing 65.

Ireland's Niall Kearney couldn't move further into contention after a round of 70 saw him finish in a tie for 22nd on 12 under.

David Carey was on shot better off for the day as he finish five under, just outside the top 60.

"It's pretty cool but man, winning a golf tournament is not easy and Eddie did not make that easy for me either," a relieved Crocker told Sky Sports after crucial par saves on the last two holes sealed the win.

Asked how he felt standing over a four-foot putt to win on the 18th, Crocker - who missed nine cuts in a row earlier this season - added: "Nervous as hell.

"I've felt pressure like that before but it's my first pro tournament (win) so that putt looked like it was 20 feet and that hole looked like it was half an inch wide, but right off the face I knew it was a well-struck putt and as I looked up and saw it drop I was just telling myself 'Don't start crying'."

"It's awesome and it just shows you, you just don't know what this game is going to bring you.

"We go out there every day trying our hardest and we can play terrible for a long time and then all of a sudden you have a week like this where every bounce seemed to go my way, putts dropped, I hit the ball beautifully and again it makes me appreciate this game I play and what I get to do for a living."

Crocker soon lost his two-shot overnight lead as Pepperell and Denmark's Oliver Hundeboll both made flying starts, but a birdie on the