American golfer DA Points held his nerve after a lengthy rain delay to score a one-shot victory in the Houston Open.

Points fired a six-under final round but was forced to wait almost three hours to play his final four holes due to a thunderstorm.

He came back after the delay and parred his way in, celebrating with a shout and fist-pump when his 13-foot par putt dropped at 18 to edge Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and American Billy Horschel who tied for second at 15-under.

Best-placed Australian Aaron Baddeley shot a three-under-par 69 in the final round, to finish at six-under, one-shot ahead of compatriot Matt Jones who had an even-par round.

“To have a putt to win, you want that starting out every week,” said Points, who has endured a difficult season that included missing seven of nine cuts.

The win gives Points a place in the Masters, as did his only prior PGA Tour triumph at Pebble Beach two years ago.

“I was in a real good flow before the rain delay, I was kind of firing on all cylinders,” Points said. “I’m real proud of myself that the rain delay didn’t put any hitch in that.”

Stenson had birdied four of his last five holes to seize the clubhouse lead before the storm.

A former top-five player, Stenson’s effort enabled him to qualify for the Masters, having carded a six-under par 66 to finish 72 holes on 15-under 273.

“To be heading back to Augusta is really special for me. I’m extremely happy with what I’ve done,” Stenson said.

“It’s a very pleasing finish to birdie four of my last five holes. I played some great shots coming down the stretch.”

American Dustin Johnson was in the clubhouse with a 65 for 14-under 274 before the break, and was joined there by fellow American Ben Crane, who carded a 68.

In all, eight players had seized at least a share of the lead during the last-round shootout for the $US1.08 million ($A1.04 million) top prize.