American golfer Scott Brown made birdie on the 18th hole on Sunday to go from a one-shot deficit to a one-shot victory in the Puerto Rico Open for his first PGA Tour title.

Brown had a two-under-par 70 to finish 20-under for the tournament on 268 and pocket $US630,000 ($A617,000).

He earns a two-year exemption on tour and a spot in the PGA Championship this summer.

Fabian Gomez of Argentina had a one-shot lead until he went over the green and into a bunker on his third shot, blasted out to 15 feet and missed the par putt.

He closed with a 71 and tied for second with American Jordan Spieth who had a 67.

Australian Cameron Percy shot a final-round 68 to finish six shots off the pace on 274.

Former US amateur champion Peter Uihlein tied for sixth, giving him a spot in the Tampa Bay Classic next week.