The PGA rookie Rich Beem, who had never won more than $25,000 in his life, captured his first professional title in Potomac, Maryland yesterday, winning $450,000 and the Kemper Open title.

Beem won a staggering amount for someone who nearly gave up on golf and whose largest prior pay cheque came in last year's PGA qualifying tournament.

Beem had made $24,790 on tour this year, missing seven of 11 prior cuts, and had not won any money since March 7th. He was only able to play this season because 30 friends in El Paso staked him the money for travel expenses.

Beem became the 10th player to capture his first US PGA title at the Kemper Open, joining a list that includes 1983 winner Fred Couples and 1984 champion Greg Norman.

He also became the third first-time winner on the US tour this year, joining Glen Day at Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Paraguay's Carlos Franco in New Orleans.

Having entered the event 147th in tour putting, Beem was impressive with the putter all week and served notice on the first hole he would be able to withstand the greatest pressure of his career.

Beem began with a 40-foot birdie putt on the first hole, added birdies on the third and fifth and owned a four-stroke lead with six holes to play.

On the 18th hole, Beem found the left rough and chipped short onto the green, but sank a two-foot bogey putt for the title, then punched his right fist in the air to complete a rise from obscurity to victory.

Australia's Bradley Hughes fired a 67 to finish at 275 and keep the pressure on Beem as he played the final holes. He shared second with American Bill Glasson. Hal Sutton and David Toms shared fourth at 276.