Adriano Moraes rides Here's Your Sign during the championship round of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals on Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center. Moraes won the PBR world championship after finishing first in the season points standings. Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.

In a split second, Guilherme Marchi watched $1 million slip through his grasp Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Brazilian bull rider was in prime position to win the Professional Bull Riders overall season championship and the $1 million check that goes to the champion. But a controversial call by the replay judge wiped out his ride in the championship round of the PBR World Finals.

That opened the door for fellow Brazilian Adriano Moraes and he took full advantage by posting a big score on his ride in the short-go, overtaking Marchi to become the first cowboy to win three world titles.

Moraes, 36, also won in 1994 and 2001. But Sunday's victory was about as close as it gets as the margin was just 342 points, Moraes outgained Marchi 11,109.75 to 10,767.75. Mike Lee finished third overall for the year with 10,618.25 points.

"I didn't have any pressure on me," Moraes said. "All the pressure was on the young guys. I've been there and I've weakened before. But I had two great bulls and I got quiet and just focused. Today, I felt I could ride Godzilla."

In the championship round, he scored 93 points aboard Here's Your Sign, earning a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 16,661.

And when Kody Lostroh failed to stay aboard Camo on the final ride of the competition, that allowed Moraes to make history.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "But I'm the champion for one night. Everything starts again tomorrow."

Lostroh's failure to complete his last ride also allowed L.J. Jenkins to take the event title. Jenkins, who rode six of eight bulls during the two-week run of the PBR finals, earned $250,000. He scored 92.75 aboard Red One in the short-go after accepting a re-ride in round seven and posting an 86.50 aboard Squirt Gun.

"This year's been a bad year for me," said Jenkins, who finished seventh overall with 7,222 points. "But winning here will give me confidence going into next year.

"I felt coming in I was riding better and I told my mother that I was going to win it. I'm glad I was able to keep my word to her."

For a while, it appeared Marchi was going to be on the outside looking in for the championship round as he wasn't among the top 15. But when Brendon Clark and Paulo Crimber got hurt in the seventh round and could not continue, Marchi moved into the short-go.

Appearing to have taken full advantage of the opportunity, Marchi stayed on Just A Dream and earned a solid score of 88 points. However, judge Donald Owens had Jeff Shearer, the replay judge, look at the video. Shearer determined that Marchi's free hand touched the hump of Just A Dream, which is not allowed. He was disqualified and it kept the door open for Moraes.

His experience helped pull him through despite a bad back suffered in a fall Friday. Moraes gutted it out and stayed aboard for the full eight seconds when it counted most.

"I really wanted to win this event because I never have," he said. "My back was really sore Saturday. I needed a little help and I got it. I owe my title to my chiropractor. But I felt great (Sunday)."

While a big supporter of his sport, Moraes has complained all year about the PBR's complicated point system. Sunday, he was singing the same tune, even after it worked to his advantage.

"I didn't like it then and I don't like it now," he said. "Just because I won doesn't change anything."

To celebrate, Moraes said he plans to return to Tyler, Texas, and spend time with his family.

"Tuesday, I'm going to take my kids to school," he said.