American Jimmy Walker claimed his second career victory on the USPGA Tour by firing a bogey-free, seven-under 63 to win the Sony Open on Sunday.
Walker birdied four of his final six holes to finish at 17-under par 263 and beat Chris Kirk by one stroke at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“I stayed patient. I was making a bunch of bogeys this week, but didn’t make any today,” he said. “The par save at 14 was key.”
His first win came last fall at the Frys.com Open, the first tournament of the Tour’s new 2013-2014 wrap-around season.
Kirk, who led after the third round, finished in sole possession of second place at 16-under. He rolled in birdies on three of his last four to shoot a four-under 66.
Jerry Kelly, the 2002 champion, posted a 65 to take third place at 15-under-par 265.
Harris English fired a three-under 67 on Sunday to take fourth at 14-under, while Marc Leishman (65) grabbed fifth at 13-under 267.
At the par-three 17th, Walker hit his tee shot just inside six feet from the hole and ran the putt in for a third straight birdie and a two-shot lead. He scrambled to a par at the par-five closing hole and then could only wait and see.
As Walker signed autographs, Kirk ran his eagle attempt past the hole.
Brian Stuard (67) was sixth at 12-under and Jeff Overton (68) ended in seventh at minus-11.
World No. 2 Adam Scott (66), Matt Kuchar (66) and last week’s winner Zach Johnson (69) were among 12 players that shared eighth place at 10-under 270.
VOLVO CHAMPIONS
AP, DURBAN, South Africa
South African Louis Oosthuizen birdied his closing two holes on his home turf to retain the Volvo Champions title on Sunday after an earlier eagle on the eighth.
The 2010 British Open winner shot a 4-under 68 for an overall 12-under 276 and claimed his seventh win on the European Tour.
Oosthuizen finished a stroke ahead of comaptriot Branden Grace, who also shot a 68 on the Durban Country Club course.
It was Oosthuizen’s first success since winning the elite 36-player event a year ago.
After a slow start with pars on the opening seven holes, Oosthuizen sank a 12-foot eagle putt at the par-five No. 8.
He drew level with Grace after a birdie at the 17th and then claimed the win by holing a 2-foot birdie putt at the last.
Grace recorded his best finish in more than a year.
The 25-year old capped his round with three birdies in succession at the sixth hole and birdied two of his closing three.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood (72) and Dutchman Joost Luiten (71) shared third on 10-under.
Triple Major winner Padraig Harrington (67) was tied on fifth with nine-under to post his best results since finishing fourth in Durban a year ago.
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