Narrow victory for Hoffman

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  • November 17, 2014

Charley Hoffman won his first title in four years when he claimed a one-shot victory at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

The American started the final round three shots off the lead, but after some fine iron play on the back nine, his final round 66 on the El Camaleon course at the Playa del Carmen resort was enough to hand him a one-shot victory over fellow American Shawn Stefani.

Stefani had birdied the 17th to move into a tie of the lead, but bogeyed the final hole to fall just short of his maiden PGA Tour victory.

Danny Lee stormed into the lead after a fast start to his final round – including seven consecutive birdies from the third to the ninth, but fell away in the latter stages of his round and ended up carding a 67 to finish in a tie for third alongside American Andres Gonzales, who also notched 67.

“I was behind a little bit and I just kept hitting good shots and gave myself chances,” the 37-year-old Hoffman told Golf Channel after clinching his third PGA Tour victory.

“Danny made a couple of bogeys coming down the stretch and I was able to keep giving myself opportunities for birdie, made a couple.

“I’m really happy. It’s been a while in between (wins) but I kept calm out there. A pretty low-stress round, when all is said and done.”

Lee burst onto the world stage in 2008 when he won the US Amateur title and then became the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour the next year when as an 18-year-old, he won the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic.

The 24-year-old had a one-shot lead going to the 10th hole, but then bogeyed the 12th, 15th and 18th, while Hoffman moved up the leaderboard with birdies at the 13th and 16th.

Stefani notched three successive birdies from the fifth to stay in contention, before falling just short at the end.

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