The 32-year-old Swede finished at 14-under 266 at hilly, tree-lined St. George's.

“I still can't believe I won the tournament,” Pettersson said two days after making the cut by a stroke after opening rounds of 71 and 68. “I know it's difficult to shoot another low one after a round like that, so I was just trying to downplay it. I just tried to stay calm and (said), `Whatever happens today, happens.”' The 40-year-old Wilson, playing on a sponsor exemption, shot a 72 after opening with three straight 65s which gave him a four-stroke lead going into the final day.

“If you would have told me before the week that I could be second alone, I would have been tickled,” Wilson said.

“Being in the position that I was, I'm a little disappointed. But still, lots of positives.” Luke Donald (66) was third at 12 under. Matt Kuchar (67), Bryce Molder (70), Bob Estes (71) and Tim Clark (71) were part of a large group that finished at 10 under.

Six strokes behind Wilson after seven holes and four back with seven to play, Pettersson made a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-3 13th to pull within one, then took the lead with a 25-footer from the fringe on the 480-yard, par-4 14th.

Wilson bogeyed 14, hitting into the thick rough to the right of the green, chipping through the putting surface to the opposite fringe and missing from 15 feet for par.

“That was my bad swing of the day,” Wilson said. “I had a good yardage, good mindset on what I was going to do and I just didn't execute. I caught that ball a little thin and it rolled through the green. And I paid the price in that rough.” Pettersson pulled away on the par-5 15th with his third straight birdie and fourth in five holes, hitting a wedge within five feet. Wilson's approach trickled into the back fringe and his birdie attempt came up short.

Pettersson pared 16 and 17 and, with a shot to spare, bogeyed the 18th, missing a 5-foot par putt after Wilson putted out for his fourth straight par.

“I felt like I handled it well coming in,” Pettersson said. “I know I bogeyed the last, but after Dean didn't make birdie, I sort of grinched that putt up there.” Pettersson bogeyed the par-4 seventh to fall six strokes behind Wilson, then birdied Nos. 8 and 9 to cut the margin to four before seizing control on the back nine.

“I was just the sideshow on the front nine,” Pettersson said. “I just love that back nine. It sets up great for me.” He earned $918,000 for his first victory since the 2008 Wyndham Championship. He also won the 2005 Chrysler Championship and 2006 Memorial.
 

Meanwhile in Carnoustie, Scotland, Germany's Bernhard Langer won the Senior Open on Sunday with a one-shot victory over American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.

The German carded a closing round of 72 for a five under par total, one better than Pavin, who finished his first Senior Major with a round of 70.

Langer, twice a Masters champion at Augusta, has now finished in the top 10 in seven of his 12 Senior Majors.

"This ranks very high," said Langer. "Obviously it was pretty close to my two US Masters championships and some of The Ryder Cup stuff I won - it's a thrill to finally hold this trophy.

"Corey played very well all day, he's a beautiful ball striker and bends the ball both directions and he has a great short game. I knew he wouldn't go away.

"You still get nervous, and especially a Championship that means something to you. As you know, I've always wanted to win The Open Championship and this is the next best thing.

"I probably will not win The Open Championship, but I'm very pleased to win The Senior Open Championship on a great golf course like this." Langer started the day three clear of his playing partner, but in a topsy-turvy final day, the title was decided at the death when Pavin was two shots behind.

Langer drove right but his ball stopped short of the water, although he could only fire his second to the fairway 130 yards short of the green.

Pavin found the fairway off the tee, but left his approach just short of the green and when Langer pitched his third to 12 feet, Pavin needed to hole his lengthy birdie putt from off the green to stand any realistic chance of a play-off but it came up five feet short.

"It's tough when you almost win," admitted the American. "It's almost harder when you just finish second and not win - it's disappointing." Australia's Peter Senior carded a final round 68 to finish in a tie for third on one under, alongside American trio Fred Funk, Jay Don Blake and Russ Cochran.