|
Golf: Mark Wilson wins PGA Sony Open
January 21, 2011
American Mark Wilson went bogey-free through the final two rounds for a two-shot victory in a marathon at the PGA Tour’s Sony Open. Wilson held off South Africa’s Tim Clark and Steve Marino to earn his third career victory and first trip to the Masters.
After Thursday’s play was washed out, officials were forced to have a 36-hole final day because this week’s PGA Tour event, the Bob Hope Classic, begins on Wednesday.
Wilson fired a five-under 65 in the morning to take a one-shot lead into the afternoon round where he posted a 67 to finish at 16-under par 264.
Because of the 36-hole final, the players did not change groups for the afternoon round.
“It was good that we just kept going. I thought I was playing well and shot 65 in the morning. It was nice to just go right to the tee and not have to think about it at all,” Wilson said. “I’m just thankful it’s over now.”
Clark birdied three of his final four holes and came close to posting an eagle on the ninth hole, just missing his putt.
Marino finished in a tie with Clark, who shot a six-under 64 in the second round of the day at the Waialae Country Club course.
Jimmy Walker (68) placed fourth at 13-under-par 267. Matt Kuchar (69) and Matt Bettencourt (67) shared fifth place at 12-under-par 268.
Roland Thatcher and Shigeki Maruyama both closed with 69s to share seventh place at minus-11.
Not only did Wilson earn 990,000 dollars for the win but it should also help boost his confidence. He is coming off a poor season in which he had only two top 10 finishes.
Clark began the day well adrift, shot a 66 in the morning and made his move on the front nine -- his final nine holes.
“Going into today, I was well back, but I kind of figured if you could get it going around here, I might still have a chance even though we’re on different nines and whatnot,” Clark stated.
“This (last) nine, I kind of got it going there with some iron shots. A few putts would have helped, but I’m very pleased.”
|