Stephan Jaeger smiles with the trophy after winning the Texas Children's Houston Open golf tournament. Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Stephan Jaeger made nine consecutive pars on the back nine and held off a crowded field of contenders to win the Texas Children's Houston Open for his first career PGA Tour victory on Sunday at Memorial Park Golf Course.

The 34-year-old from Germany had won on the Korn Ferry Tour six times, but he earned his breakthrough PGA victory by shooting a final-round, 3-under 69 to card a 12-under 268 for the week.

Jaeger had four birdies and one bogey on his front nine before his steady finish. He missed a birdie try at the par-4 18th and tapped in for par to put the pressure on World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who was vying for his third victory in as many starts.

Scheffler had stuck his approach shot to five-and-a-half feet and would have forced a playoff with Jaeger with a birdie. But his putt trickled just to the left of the cup.

Scheffler posted a 68 and finished in a five-way tie for second with last year's champion Tony Finau (66 Sunday), Taylor Moore (67), Belgium's Thomas Detry (68) and rookie Alejandro Tosti of Argentina (68). 

Tosti was in a tie for the lead after birdieing the par-5 16th, but a bad drive and a long chip on the 18th left him a tough 19-footer for par that he could not make to stay at 12 under.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump
Odell Beckham Jr. reveals why he was 'hesitant' to join Dolphins
Lakers reportedly interested in adding three-time All-Star via trade
Luka Doncic fed off negative reactions in Game 5 win over Thunder
Celtics finally put away undermanned Cavaliers, advance to conference finals
Avalanche force Game 6 with big third period vs. Stars
MLB announces punishment for Astros' Ronel Blanco over foreign substance
Vikings HC shares big Justin Jefferson contract update
Rafael Nadal switches gears, gives major update on French Open status
DeMar DeRozan confirms desire to return to Bulls
Mavericks defense rises to occasion in Game 5 win vs. Thunder
Steelers to make history in final two months of 2024 season
Packers will play on Thanksgiving with a rare twist in 2024
Steelers veteran reportedly plans to sit out OTAs
Padres pitcher has honest reaction to team getting booed off the field
Athletics place lefty on 15-day IL, transfer infielder to 60-day
Atlanta to be first race of NASCAR's In-Season Tournament
West Point alum made history in his MLB debut with Reds