Walker wins Sony Open with late flurry
Jimmy Walker produced a stunning finish that included four birdies in six holes to win the Sony Open on Sunday.
The American, who went 187 tournaments without winning on the PGA Tour carded a flawless final round of seven-under-par 63 to finish on 17 under for the tournament – one shot ahead of third-round leader Chris Kirk.
The 34-year-old’s big run started with a birdie at the 13th and then he produced a 12-foot putt a hole later to save par. He wasn’t done yet as he rolled in a 15 foot birdie at the 15th and followed it up with two more birdies to move to 17 under.
After a par on the final hole he had to watch as Kirk tried to chip in a 30-foot eagle on the 18th to force a playoff, but Kirk had to settle for a birdie.
“It took me a long time to do it,” said Walker, who won his second PGA title. “I felt very calm and controlled. That’s what you’ve got to feel and do when it’s time to win. It’s easy to say, hard to do. But today was awesome. Really cool golf.”
He added on Golf Channel: “I made a key par putt (from 12 feet) on 14, which was really big, and then the string of birdies (to finish) there was pretty awesome.”
Kirk finished the final day at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu with a four-under-par 66 and he was one shot ahead of Jerry Kelly (65) with Harris English (67) a further stroke adrift.
After falling away quite badly on the third day in Hawaii, Masters champion Adam Scott finished on a high as he carded a 66 to finished tied for eighth at 10 under.
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