| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
BOSTON, Massachusetts: Charley Hoffman fired a nine-under 62 to win the Deutsche Bank Championship by five strokes on Monday as Tiger Woods held onto his world number one ranking.
American Hoffman rolled in 11 birdies, including four-straight birdies early to make up a four-shot deficit on the TPC Boston.
His victory came in the PGA's second playoff event and propelled him to number two in the FedEx Cup standings.
"Just got it going this week," said Hoffman who collected 1.35 million dollars in first-place prize money.
He won for the first time since 2007, although it might have been too late to make the US Ryder Cup team. American captain Corey Pavin is scheduled to announce his selections Tuesday morning.
Hoffman also won the Bob Hope Classic three years ago.
"I actually didn't know how many birdies I had today. The ball just kept going in the hole and the few bad shots I hit, I got away with," said Hoffman. "It was a really fun day."
Tiger Woods seems to be having a little more fun on the course these days after shooting a 68 Monday to tie for 11th at 10-under 274. No. 2 Phil Mickelson squandered a chance to replace him, shooting a five-over 76.
Geoff Ogilvy finished in a tie for third with Aussie compatriot and third round leader Jason Day (71) and Luke Donald (69) at 17-under 267. Ogilvy shot a five-under par 66.
"I had the best seat in the house to watch that," Ogilvy said of Hoffman's 62. "He hit great shots all day.
"He putted really well and as soon as he got himself in trouble he'd go and hole a bunker shot or something like that. So it was a pretty class act and he never looked like doing anything but winning after about three holes."
The top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings advance to the BMW Championship, which begins on Thursday.
Woods finished outside the top 10 for the sixth straight tournament but he posted three rounds in the 60s for the first time since the 2009 Tour Championship.
Woods started slowly then stepped on the gas on the back nine by making birdies on three of his final four holes.
"I'm very satisfied. The things we've been working on are starting to come together," Woods said. "I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable. I can fix it on the golf course too."
It marks the first time in his career that Woods has finished outside the top 10 six consecutive times. He had finished outside the top-10 seven times in eight starts in 2001.
Mickelson needed a top-four finish to pass Woods atop the world rankings and take the top spot for the first time in his career. But he posted a double-bogey and a triple-bogey on the back nine.
Pavin will make his four selections on Tuesday morning in New York. The frontrunners are Woods, Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink.
"No question I think I can contribute to that team," Hoffman said. "If I can shoot 62 here in the playoffs, I'm pretty sure I can handle the Ryder Cup."
- AFP/de
|
