Hahn seals maiden win after playoff

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February 23, 2015

James Hahn won the Northern Trust Open at Riviera following a three-way playoff on Sunday afternoon.

Hahn’s final round, a two under 69, was enough to see him enter a playoff with Dustin Johnson – who narrowly missed a ten-footer for the outright win – and England’s Paul Casey.

The trio walked back to the 18th tee and solid golf saw them all earn par. Hahn was then in trouble on the par four tenth, he was forced to play a risky flop shot over a bunker for his second which came to rest about ten feet from the pin.

After Johnson pitched to within three feet, Casey, who had the best tee shot of the bunch, left himself with a 15 foot putt for a birdie which he missed, ending his chances. Hahn drained his putt and Johnson tapped in and the duo made their way to the par three 14th tee box.

Both players made the green and Hahn rolled in a spectacular 25 footer for a birdie and turned away when Johnson tried to match it. His putt pulled to the right, Handing Hahn his first victory on the PGA Tour.

“I never would have thought I would win this tournament,” the 33-year-old told ESPN, adding that he and his pregnant wife are still looking for a name for their child.

“I’m going to have to talk to my wife about ‘Riviera.’ I think that’s a good name.”

Meanwhile, Johnson heaped praise on the South Korean-born player who nearly quit golf in 2008 after he was running out of money.

“Hats off to James, making a long putt like that,” said the American, who recently made his return to golf following a six month ban for testing positive for cocaine.

“I played with him all day, so I knew he was rolling the putter really well.”

Retief Goosen, who had the lead going into the final day, was in the mix after being two over following the front nine. However, the South African suffered a collapse on the back nine with three bogeys and a double bogey on the par four 13th, leaving him four over for the day. He would finish tied for eighth, two shots off the pace.

A whole host of players finished on five under for the tournament, including Sergio Garcia and Japanese superstar Hideki Matsuyama – a firm sports betting favourite.