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D.J. Trahan wins US$5.1 million Bob Hope Classic

American D.J. Trahan fired a final round seven-under 65 to erase a four-shot deficit and capture the US$5.1 million PGA Bob Hope Classic on Sunday.

Trahan, who took home US$918,000 for his second career victory, beat fellow American Justin Leonard by three strokes. Trahan finished with a five-day total of 26-under 334.

"I'm very proud of the way I played," Trahan said. "I knew it was going to be a hard-fought day. I had to go out there and shoot a low number and I did that."

Leonard was trying to earn his 12th career victory, but had consecutive bogeys to begin the back nine and lost his four-shot advantage by the 11th hole.

He finished three-over-par 39 on the back en route to an even-par 72.

Trahan made birdies on the four of his first six holes and shot a four-under 32 on the front. He added two more birdies on the back to win his first tournament since the 2006 Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

Kenny Perry and Anthony Kim finished tied for third at 22-under 338. The two both shot final-round 66s.

In two previous appearances at this event, Trahan failed to make the cut for the final day and managed only one score in the 60s in eight rounds.

Leonard's four-stroke advantage with 18 holes to play looked insurmountable, especially when he posted a three-under 33 on the front nine and was three strokes up with nine holes to play.

"I played solidly the first eight holes," Leonard said. "I was three-under par. Obviously D.J. was playing well."

Trahan was one of four golfers tied for second going into the final round and birdied four of his first six holes.

This tournament is considered a putting contest, something that is not really Trahan's strong suit. Last year, he was 171st in putts per round and 183rd in putting average.

ABU DHABI CHAMPS

AFP, ABU DHABI

Germany's Martin Kaymer has set his sights on a shock Ryder Cup call-up after cruising to his maiden European Tour victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The 23-year-old, last year's rookie of the year, led from start to finish here to win by four shots from fellow Ryder Cup hopefuls, England's Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson of Sweden.

"I want to win more tournaments but everybody is already asking me if I want to play in The Ryder Cup," said Kaymer of his chances of receiving a call from European team skipper Nick Faldo for the clash against the US at Valhalla in September.

"Of course I want to play in the Ryder Cup but I am not expecting it yet. But if I could play it would be unbelievable. It would be awesome. But the goal for now and the rest of the year is to win more tournaments," he said.

Kaymer, who started the day with a six-shot lead, held his nerve to shoot a two-over-par 74 in Sunday's fourth and final round.

The victory also saw him rise to 35 in the world and allowed him to become the youngest German winner in European Tour history taking the honor from Bernhard Langer who was 14 days older when he won the 1980 Dunlop Masters.

Despite their joint runners-up spot, both Stenson and Westwood were also aware of the importance of collecting Ryder Cup points in the early exchanges of the new year.

"It's an important year with The Ryder Cup at the end of the season and this brings some good points in for both Lee and myself and that is where I'm heading," Stenson said.
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