A coronation almost turned into a calamity but Brooks Koepka survived to win the PGA Championship for a second consecutive year on Sunday and establish himself as golf's new top dog.

The American, who had held a seven-stroke lead at the start of the final round, almost lost control of the title when he made four successive bogeys from the 11th hole before staving off Dustin Johnson for a two-stroke victory at Bethpage Black.

Koepka shot a four-over-par 74 to finish at eight-under 272 and captured his fourth major title in his last eight starts in grand slam events.

Johnson (69) was second on six-under, with Americans Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay and Britain's Matt Wallace four strokes further back tied for third.

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Final leaderboard from the PGA Championship: 
 
-8 <a href="https://twitter.com/BKoepka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BKoepka</a> 🏆 
-7 
-6 <a href="https://twitter.com/DJohnsonPGA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DJohnsonPGA</a> 
-5 
-4 
-3 
-2 <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanSpieth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JordanSpieth</a>, Patrick Cantlay, <a href="https://twitter.com/mattsjwallace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattSJWallace</a> 
-1 Luke List 
E Sung Kang 
 
Full scores: <a href="https://t.co/xYdhELrcLf">https://t.co/xYdhELrcLf</a> <a href="https://t.co/qW44Xk8LFU">pic.twitter.com/qW44Xk8LFU</a>
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What had seemed for much of the tournament to be a coronation almost became a calamity on Sunday, to the delight of most of the raucous New York gallery, who were openly cheering against Koepka as he walked off the 14th green with a tenuous one-stroke lead.

He has played with a chip on his shoulder his entire career, and hearing chants in his face of "D.J., D.J." only served to fire him up as he walked down the steep hill and across Round Swamp Road to the 15th tee at Bethpage Black.

Johnson was playing the adjacent 16th hole when the chants went up after Koepka's mini-collapse.

"I wasn't nervous. I was just in shock at what was going on," Koepka said. "When they started chanting D.J. on 14, it actually kind of helped.

"That was probably the best thing that could have happened ... helped me refocus and hit a good one down 15."

Koepka's playing companion Harold Varner III, however, was annoyed by the crowd reaction.

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Never a doubt. 😅🏆 <a href="https://t.co/BHQixzN4eD">pic.twitter.com/BHQixzN4eD</a>
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1130253181974450178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I thought it was pretty weird how they were telling Brooks to choke," Varner said.

"That's not my cup of tea. I was pulling for him after that. I have a few choice words for that. Just cheering for him to do bad, I just don't get that."

Johnson, however, subsequently bogeyed the 16th after misjudging his approach shot in the strong and gusty winds and the lead was back up to two strokes.

In becoming the first champion to lead wire-to-wire since Hal Sutton in 1983, Koepka successfully defended his title and also displaced Johnson as world number one.

Koepka, who also won back-to-back US&nbsp;Open titles in 2017-18, admitted his run of bogeys had put him under pressure.

"Tell you what, the hour spent from number 11 to 14 was interesting," Koepka said. "I just got stuck in a bogey train. I just made mistakes at the wrong time.

"You've got to hit good drives and I put it in the rough. I challenge anyone to play this course in 15-to 20 miles-per-hour winds and see what they shoot."

"Today was definitely the most satisfying out of all of them for how stressful that round was, how stressful DJ&nbsp;made it.

"I know for a fact, that was the most excited I've ever been in my life ... on 18."

A coronation almost turned into a calamity but Brooks Koepka survived to win the PGA Championship for a second consecutive year on Sunday and establish himself as golf's new top dog.

A coronation almost turned into a calamity but Brooks Koepka survived to win the PGA Championship for a second consecutive year on Sunday and establish himself as golf's new top dog. The American, who had held a seven-stroke lead at the start of the final round, almost lost control of the title when he made four successive bogeys from the 11th hole before staving off Dustin Johnson for a two-stroke victory at Bethpage Black. Koepka shot a four-over-par 74 to finish at eight-under 272 and captured his fourth major title in his last eight starts in grand slam events. Johnson (69) was second on six-under, with Americans Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay and Britain's Matt Wallace four strokes further back tied for third. Final leaderboard from the PGA Championship: -8 @BKoepka 🏆 -7 -6 @DJohnsonPGA -5 -4 -3 -2 @JordanSpieth, Patrick Cantlay, @MattSJWallace -1 Luke List E Sung Kang Full scores: https://t.co/xYdhELrcLf pic.twitter.com/qW44Xk8LFU — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 19, 2019 × What had seemed for much of the tournament to be a coronation almost became a calamity on Sunday, to the delight of most of the raucous New York gallery, who were openly cheering against Koepka as he walked off the 14th green with a tenuous one-stroke lead. He has played with a chip on his shoulder his entire career, and hearing chants in his face of "D.J., D.J." only served to fire him up as he walked down the steep hill and across Round Swamp Road to the 15th tee at Bethpage Black. Johnson was playing the adjacent 16th hole when the chants went up after Koepka's mini-collapse. "I wasn't nervous. I was just in shock at what was going on," Koepka said. "When they started chanting D.J. on 14, it actually kind of helped. "That was probably the best thing that could have happened ... helped me refocus and hit a good one down 15." Koepka's playing companion Harold Varner III, however, was annoyed by the crowd reaction. Never a doubt. 😅🏆 pic.twitter.com/BHQixzN4eD — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 19, 2019 × "I thought it was pretty weird how they were telling Brooks to choke," Varner said. "That's not my cup of tea. I was pulling for him after that. I have a few choice words for that. Just cheering for him to do bad, I just don't get that." Johnson, however, subsequently bogeyed the 16th after misjudging his approach shot in the strong and gusty winds and the lead was back up to two strokes. In becoming the first champion to lead wire-to-wire since Hal Sutton in 1983, Koepka successfully defended his title and also displaced Johnson as world number one. Koepka, who also won back-to-back US Open titles in 2017-18, admitted his run of bogeys had put him under pressure. "Tell you what, the hour spent from number 11 to 14 was interesting," Koepka said. "I just got stuck in a bogey train. I just made mistakes at the wrong time. "You've got to hit good drives and I put it in the rough. I challenge anyone to play this course in 15-to 20 miles-per-hour winds and see what they shoot." "Today was definitely the most satisfying out of all of them for how stressful that round was, how stressful DJ made it. "I know for a fact, that was the most excited I've ever been in my life ... on 18."

Brooks Koepka survives to win PGA after crowd sense a collapse

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-awards-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-tiger-woods-216532">Tiger Woods</a> acknowledged after missing the cut at the PGA Championship on Friday that he had paid the price for not being adequately prepared for another major quest so soon after winning the Masters.

A month after claiming his 15th major title at Augusta National, Woods crashed back to earth in his first tournament appearance since, recording a five-over 145 total at Bethpage Black.

Even the support of a boisterous Long Island gallery could not lift Woods, who putted poorly in the first round and drove the ball badly in the second.

"I'm the Masters Champion and 43 years old and that's a pretty good accomplishment," Woods said after shooting a 36-hole score that was 17 strokes worse than leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brooks-koepka-makes-flying-start-with-63-to-lead-brooks-koepka-219316">Brooks Koepka.</a>

"I've enjoyed being the Masters champion again, and the PGA was a quick turnaround, and unfortunately I just didn't play well", Woods said.

Woods probably paid the price for not playing a tournament between the Masters and PGA and for only getting in nine holes at Bethpage in practice this week.

He had planned to play a further nine holes on Wednesday, but his preparation took a further hit when he did not feel well on tournament eve and spent the day resting instead.

"It's just the way it goes. Just (did not) feel well and just not able to do it, but resting would be better so I would have the energy to play," he said.

"I just made too many mistakes and just didn't do the little things I need to do. I had a couple of three-putts, didn't hit wedges close, didn't hit any fairways today, did a lot of little things wrong", Woods added.

It is the third time in his past four appearances at the PGA Championship that Woods has bowed out early, though he was hampered by a bad back injury in 2014 and 2015.

He did not play the following two years, before finishing second to Koepka last year.

Woods' next appearance is likely to be the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial tournament in Ohio in two weeks, before his next major start at the US&nbsp;Open at Pebble Beach from June 13-16.

He vowed to be better prepared then.

"There's no reason why I can't get up to speed again and crank it back up. I've got to start feeling a little bit better first before that happens," he said.

"We'll do that first and then start cranking it back up again. I just wasn't moving the way I needed to. That's the way it goes. There's going to be days and weeks where it's just not going to work, and today was one of those days", Tiger Woods added.

Tiger Woods acknowledged after missing the cut at the PGA Championship on Friday that he had paid the price for not being adequately prepared for another major quest so soon after winning the Masters.

Tiger Woods acknowledged after missing the cut at the PGA Championship on Friday that he had paid the price for not being adequately prepared for another major quest so soon after winning the Masters. A month after claiming his 15th major title at Augusta National, Woods crashed back to earth in his first tournament appearance since, recording a five-over 145 total at Bethpage Black. Even the support of a boisterous Long Island gallery could not lift Woods, who putted poorly in the first round and drove the ball badly in the second. "I'm the Masters Champion and 43 years old and that's a pretty good accomplishment," Woods said after shooting a 36-hole score that was 17 strokes worse than leader Brooks Koepka. "I've enjoyed being the Masters champion again, and the PGA was a quick turnaround, and unfortunately I just didn't play well", Woods said. Woods probably paid the price for not playing a tournament between the Masters and PGA and for only getting in nine holes at Bethpage in practice this week. He had planned to play a further nine holes on Wednesday, but his preparation took a further hit when he did not feel well on tournament eve and spent the day resting instead. "It's just the way it goes. Just (did not) feel well and just not able to do it, but resting would be better so I would have the energy to play," he said. "I just made too many mistakes and just didn't do the little things I need to do. I had a couple of three-putts, didn't hit wedges close, didn't hit any fairways today, did a lot of little things wrong", Woods added. It is the third time in his past four appearances at the PGA Championship that Woods has bowed out early, though he was hampered by a bad back injury in 2014 and 2015. He did not play the following two years, before finishing second to Koepka last year. Woods' next appearance is likely to be the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial tournament in Ohio in two weeks, before his next major start at the US Open at Pebble Beach from June 13-16. He vowed to be better prepared then. "There's no reason why I can't get up to speed again and crank it back up. I've got to start feeling a little bit better first before that happens," he said. "We'll do that first and then start cranking it back up again. I just wasn't moving the way I needed to. That's the way it goes. There's going to be days and weeks where it's just not going to work, and today was one of those days", Tiger Woods added.

Tiger Woods pays price for being inadequately prepared for PGA Championship

Defending champion Brooks Koepka made a flying start at the PGA Championship with a dominant display that appeared set to give him a big lead until inspired New Zealander Danny Lee made a late charge in the first round on Thursday.

Koepka made the gargantuan, rain-softened Bethpage Black layout look easy with a seven-under 63 that matched the second lowest round in any major championship.

Lee almost caught Koepka in the afternoon, the South Korean-born, American-based kiwi finishing in style with birdies at the final two holes for a 64.

The two frontrunners had a handy cushion over third-placed pursuer Tommy Fleetwood, who was four strokes behind Koepka in his bid to become the first English winner in a century.

Tiger Woods, in his first competitive round since winning the Masters a month ago, putted poorly for a 72 in the company of Koepka, while Rory McIlroy shot the same score, finally making his first birdie at the final hole.

Other big names were in striking distance.

Americans Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson, and Australian Jason Day, all shot 69 in the afternoon, while top Europeans Justin Rose and Jon Rahm managed 70.

Bethpage's fairways are lined with lush, rain-fuelled rough, and Koepka said keeping his ball straight had been key.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/BKoepka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BKoepka</a>'s last four rounds in the PGA Championship: 
 
63 
66 
66 
63<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveUnderPar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveUnderPar</a> <a href="https://t.co/YlKn2BeDZf">pic.twitter.com/YlKn2BeDZf</a>
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1129110853561851904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"If you hit fairways you're going to be able to hit greens and get the ball close to the hole," he said.

"So you can definitely shoot a number. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw another good score in the afternoon."

Prophetic words indeed, as Lee showed.

"Whenever I hit it on the fairway I gave it a good look for birdie and made those putts today," said the world number 119, who is playing with new-found confidence after working on his driving distance.

"I'm actually interested in myself what I can do out there this week," said Lee, 28, who has recently become a father.

If Lee milked every last drop out of his round, Koepka left a bit of money on the table.

"I parred two par-fives and missed about a five-footer on number 11 so it could've been a hell of a round," he said.

"Don't get me wrong, I'll take it every day but just need to clean a few things up."

The three-times major champion, who teed off at the 10th hole, bookended his round with monster birdies, a 40-footer at his first and a 33-footer at his last.

Woods was impressed.

"I think that was probably the highest score he could have shot today," Woods said. "He left a few out there."

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Effortless.<a href="https://twitter.com/BKoepka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BKoepka</a> is the first player to record 63 in back-to-back PGA Championships.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveUnderPar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveUnderPar</a> <a href="https://t.co/iv0DJoMbXm">pic.twitter.com/iv0DJoMbXm</a>
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Late Bogeys

Woods did well to put a disappointing start behind him but was undone by a trio of late bogeys.

The four-times champion also had a trio of three-putts and his 72 included two double-bogeys, the first one coming right off the bat at his opening hole on a crisp Long Island morning.

"It wasn't as clean as I'd like to have it for sure. Didn't get off to a very good start," said the 15-times major champion.

"Then found my way back around. Got it back under par for the day, and let a couple slip away with a couple bad putts and a couple mistakes at the end."

Koepka, who finished a shot behind Woods at the Masters, is in no mood to let that happen again, and he described his round as one of the best of his career.

"It was great that Tiger won Augusta but we're at a new week now," he said.

"Obviously, everybody in New York is cheering for him. You've just got to keep battling and find a way through it."

Defending champion Brooks Koepka made a flying start at the PGA Championship with a dominant display that appeared set to give him a big lead until inspired New Zealander Danny Lee made a late charge in the first round on Thursday.

Defending champion Brooks Koepka made a flying start at the PGA Championship with a dominant display that appeared set to give him a big lead until inspired New Zealander Danny Lee made a late charge in the first round on Thursday. Koepka made the gargantuan, rain-softened Bethpage Black layout look easy with a seven-under 63 that matched the second lowest round in any major championship. Lee almost caught Koepka in the afternoon, the South Korean-born, American-based kiwi finishing in style with birdies at the final two holes for a 64. The two frontrunners had a handy cushion over third-placed pursuer Tommy Fleetwood, who was four strokes behind Koepka in his bid to become the first English winner in a century. Tiger Woods, in his first competitive round since winning the Masters a month ago, putted poorly for a 72 in the company of Koepka, while Rory McIlroy shot the same score, finally making his first birdie at the final hole. Other big names were in striking distance. Americans Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson, and Australian Jason Day, all shot 69 in the afternoon, while top Europeans Justin Rose and Jon Rahm managed 70. Bethpage's fairways are lined with lush, rain-fuelled rough, and Koepka said keeping his ball straight had been key. .@BKoepka's last four rounds in the PGA Championship: 63 66 66 63#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/YlKn2BeDZf — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 16, 2019 × "If you hit fairways you're going to be able to hit greens and get the ball close to the hole," he said. "So you can definitely shoot a number. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw another good score in the afternoon." Prophetic words indeed, as Lee showed. "Whenever I hit it on the fairway I gave it a good look for birdie and made those putts today," said the world number 119, who is playing with new-found confidence after working on his driving distance. "I'm actually interested in myself what I can do out there this week," said Lee, 28, who has recently become a father. If Lee milked every last drop out of his round, Koepka left a bit of money on the table. "I parred two par-fives and missed about a five-footer on number 11 so it could've been a hell of a round," he said. "Don't get me wrong, I'll take it every day but just need to clean a few things up." The three-times major champion, who teed off at the 10th hole, bookended his round with monster birdies, a 40-footer at his first and a 33-footer at his last. Woods was impressed. "I think that was probably the highest score he could have shot today," Woods said. "He left a few out there." Effortless.@BKoepka is the first player to record 63 in back-to-back PGA Championships.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/iv0DJoMbXm — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 16, 2019 × Late Bogeys Woods did well to put a disappointing start behind him but was undone by a trio of late bogeys. The four-times champion also had a trio of three-putts and his 72 included two double-bogeys, the first one coming right off the bat at his opening hole on a crisp Long Island morning. "It wasn't as clean as I'd like to have it for sure. Didn't get off to a very good start," said the 15-times major champion. "Then found my way back around. Got it back under par for the day, and let a couple slip away with a couple bad putts and a couple mistakes at the end." Koepka, who finished a shot behind Woods at the Masters, is in no mood to let that happen again, and he described his round as one of the best of his career. "It was great that Tiger won Augusta but we're at a new week now," he said. "Obviously, everybody in New York is cheering for him. You've just got to keep battling and find a way through it."

Brooks Koepka makes flying start with 63 to lead PGA Championship

When <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tiger-woods-says-jack-nicklaus-record-in-crosshairs-213630">Tiger Woods won the Masters</a> on April 14th, President Donald Trump declared he was going to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and ordered his aides to schedule the event as soon as possible.

On Monday, Trump got what he asked for. At a ceremony in the sun-splashed White House Rose Garden, Trump made the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tiger-woods-victory-in-masters-a-win-for-golf-business-210868"> 43-year-old Woods the fourth</a>, and youngest, professional golfer to receive the nation's highest civilian honour, after Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Charlie Sifford.

With 81 PGA Tour victories, Woods is one shy of Sam Snead's all-time record, and with 15 major tournament victories, he trails only Nicklaus, who has 18.

But it was his dramatic Masters victory at Augusta National Golf Club last month, ending an 11-year major championship drought, that capped a years-long comeback from injuries and drama in his personal life, including an arrest two years ago for driving under the influence.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiger-woods-awarded-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom-216653/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Trump eagerly leapt onto the Tiger bandwagon. The two have played golf a number of times, most recently with Nicklaus in February at Trump's course in Jupiter, Florida.

At a ceremony attended by several US lawmakers, Trump called Woods "a true legend."

"He's a great guy," said Trump. "He introduced countless new people to the sport of golf, from every background and walk of life. ... Tiger Woods is a global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive."

Woods, wearing a blue suit (not the Masters green jacket) was joined at the ceremony by his mother, Kultida, his two children, Sam and Charlie, his girlfriend, Erica Herman, and his caddie, Joe LaCava.

"You've seen the good and the bad the highs and the lows, and I wouldn't be here without your help," Woods said.

Speaking directly to his loved ones, Woods added: "You guys have meant so much to me in my life. I've battled and I've tried to hang in there and I've tried to come back and play a great game of golf again."

With the golf world wondering if he has enough high-level golf in him to match Nicklaus' record of 18 majors, Woods left a clue as to his aspirations, calling his recent Masters experience "certainly one of the highest that I've accomplished so far in my life on the golf course."

When Tiger Woods won the Masters on April 14th, President Donald Trump declared he was going to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and ordered his aides to schedule the event as soon as possible.

When Tiger Woods won the Masters on April 14th, President Donald Trump declared he was going to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and ordered his aides to schedule the event as soon as possible. On Monday, Trump got what he asked for. At a ceremony in the sun-splashed White House Rose Garden, Trump made the 43-year-old Woods the fourth, and youngest, professional golfer to receive the nation's highest civilian honour, after Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Charlie Sifford. With 81 PGA Tour victories, Woods is one shy of Sam Snead's all-time record, and with 15 major tournament victories, he trails only Nicklaus, who has 18. But it was his dramatic Masters victory at Augusta National Golf Club last month, ending an 11-year major championship drought, that capped a years-long comeback from injuries and drama in his personal life, including an arrest two years ago for driving under the influence. Trump eagerly leapt onto the Tiger bandwagon. The two have played golf a number of times, most recently with Nicklaus in February at Trump's course in Jupiter, Florida. At a ceremony attended by several US lawmakers, Trump called Woods "a true legend." "He's a great guy," said Trump. "He introduced countless new people to the sport of golf, from every background and walk of life. ... Tiger Woods is a global symbol of American excellence, devotion and drive." Woods, wearing a blue suit (not the Masters green jacket) was joined at the ceremony by his mother, Kultida, his two children, Sam and Charlie, his girlfriend, Erica Herman, and his caddie, Joe LaCava. "You've seen the good and the bad the highs and the lows, and I wouldn't be here without your help," Woods said. Speaking directly to his loved ones, Woods added: "You guys have meant so much to me in my life. I've battled and I've tried to hang in there and I've tried to come back and play a great game of golf again." With the golf world wondering if he has enough high-level golf in him to match Nicklaus' record of 18 majors, Woods left a clue as to his aspirations, calling his recent Masters experience "certainly one of the highest that I've accomplished so far in my life on the golf course."

Trump awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods

Keith Mitchell sank a clutch 15-foot birdie putt at the last hole to win his first PGA Tour event with a one-stroke victory at the Honda Classic on Sunday.

The second-year professional edged out Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler with a final round 67 to finish at nine-under 271.

The more experienced Koepka (66) and Fowler (67) put the pressure on but Mitchell denied them a chance at a playoff at PGA National with his long putt.

The 27-year-old began his day with back-to-back bogeys, then roared back with birdies at four of the final seven holes.

"I`ve been close before and I let my emotions take over," Mitchell told NBC television. "I bogeyed the first couple of holes and I said, `Not again.`"

He finished the day with a big smile to go with six birdies and three bogeys.

"I was trying to focus on what was going on," Mitchell said. "My mind started wandering there a little bit at the end ... and then I hit a great putt."

Ryan Palmer (63) and Lucas Glover (66) shared fourth at seven-under 273 and 56-year-old Vijay Singh (70) was sixth at six-under as he missed a chance to become the oldest player to win a PGA Tour event.

A thrilling final nine holes saw as many as six players tied for the lead at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Palmer set the early tone with his splendid early finish that included eight birdies and a bogey in the round of 63.

As he watched from the clubhouse for several hours, things heated up on the tough back nine.

Third-round co-leader Wyndham Clark (72-275) and the surging Koepka and Fowler, who made a 45-foot birdie putt at the 17th, also were tied for the top at one point.&nbsp;

Finally,&nbsp;it came down to Mitchell, Koepka and Fowler.

Koepka birdied two of his last three holes, and Fowler closed with four birdies in eight holes.

Mitchell birdied the par-three 15th hole from four feet and then made the clutch putt at 18 even though his tee shot ended up in a bunker.

Singh lost a chance to be in the mix when he hit his tee shot badly at the 17th and the ball rolled into the water.

Keith Mitchell sank a clutch 15-foot birdie putt at the last hole to win his first PGA Tour event with a one-stroke victory at the Honda Classic on Sunday. The second-year professional edged out Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler with a final round 67 to finish at nine-under 271.

Keith Mitchell sank a clutch 15-foot birdie putt at the last hole to win his first PGA Tour event with a one-stroke victory at the Honda Classic on Sunday. The second-year professional edged out Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler with a final round 67 to finish at nine-under 271. The more experienced Koepka (66) and Fowler (67) put the pressure on but Mitchell denied them a chance at a playoff at PGA National with his long putt. The 27-year-old began his day with back-to-back bogeys, then roared back with birdies at four of the final seven holes. "I`ve been close before and I let my emotions take over," Mitchell told NBC television. "I bogeyed the first couple of holes and I said, `Not again.`" He finished the day with a big smile to go with six birdies and three bogeys. "I was trying to focus on what was going on," Mitchell said. "My mind started wandering there a little bit at the end ... and then I hit a great putt." Ryan Palmer (63) and Lucas Glover (66) shared fourth at seven-under 273 and 56-year-old Vijay Singh (70) was sixth at six-under as he missed a chance to become the oldest player to win a PGA Tour event. A thrilling final nine holes saw as many as six players tied for the lead at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Palmer set the early tone with his splendid early finish that included eight birdies and a bogey in the round of 63. As he watched from the clubhouse for several hours, things heated up on the tough back nine. Third-round co-leader Wyndham Clark (72-275) and the surging Koepka and Fowler, who made a 45-foot birdie putt at the 17th, also were tied for the top at one point. Finally, it came down to Mitchell, Koepka and Fowler. Koepka birdied two of his last three holes, and Fowler closed with four birdies in eight holes. Mitchell birdied the par-three 15th hole from four feet and then made the clutch putt at 18 even though his tee shot ended up in a bunker. Singh lost a chance to be in the mix when he hit his tee shot badly at the 17th and the ball rolled into the water.

Keith Mitchell claims first PGA win with big final putt

US golfer Tiger Woods won the PGA Tour Championship by two shots to<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/tiger-woods-seals-first-win-five-years-tour-championship-167319"> claim his first victory in five years</a>. He said it is hard to believe that he has won the title.

"I was having a hard time not crying the last hole," revealed Woods after claiming an emotional and remarkable win.

"I was having a hard time not crying the last hole. I said, hey, you know what, I can still blade this thing out of bounds. Just suck it up and let's hit some shots. Here, and once I got the ball on the green, I gave Joey a high five because it was done. I could handle that from there," said Woods while speaking to NBC.

The 40-years-old led throughout the final round and finished at 11-under-par 269 at East Lake, where he carded a closing 71 for his 80th PGA Tour victory.

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Congratulations to our boss on winning the Tour Championship today, marking it his 80th PGA Tour victory and a comeback for the ages. - TGR <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TW80?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TW80</a> <a href="https://t.co/A0ZR8WceRc">pic.twitter.com/A0ZR8WceRc</a>
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/1043992116416909312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Final scores <a href="https://twitter.com/playofffinale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PlayoffFinale</a>: 
 
1. <a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TigerWoods</a>, -11 
2. <a href="https://twitter.com/BillyHo_Golf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BillyHo_Golf</a>, -9 
3. <a href="https://twitter.com/DJohnsonPGA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DJohnsonPGA</a>, -7 
4. Hideki Matsuyama, -6 
4. <a href="https://twitter.com/webbsimpson1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WebbSimpson1</a>, -6 
4. <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinRose99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinRose99</a>, -6 
7. <a href="https://twitter.com/RickieFowler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RickieFowler</a>, -5 
7. <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinThomas34?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinThomas34</a>, -5 
7. <a href="https://twitter.com/XSchauffele?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@XSchauffele</a>, -5 
7. <a href="https://twitter.com/McIlroyRory?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@McIlroyRory</a>, -5 
 
Leaderboard: <a href="https://t.co/vZk1d8dmgT">https://t.co/vZk1d8dmgT</a> <a href="https://t.co/gJQ0rffMVH">pic.twitter.com/gJQ0rffMVH</a>
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1044007036432855040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"I don't know, but it was just a grind out there. I loved every bit of it. The fight and the grind and the tough conditions and just have to suck it up and hit shots, and I loved every bit of it," said emotional Woods.

Woods, who entered the final round with three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, tapped in to move within two victories of Sam Snead's all-time record of 82 titles.

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80. 🏆 
 
Count 'em.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveUnderPar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveUnderPar</a> <a href="https://t.co/sg4gMoiHoS">pic.twitter.com/sg4gMoiHoS</a>
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1044021367568502785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Watch his post-match interview:

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Live with <a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TigerWoods</a>, the winner of the <a href="https://twitter.com/playofffinale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PlayoffFinale</a>. 🏆🎤 <a href="https://t.co/tb2XcgxUwQ">https://t.co/tb2XcgxUwQ</a>
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1043995406512742400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He congratulated Rose on winning FedEx Cup, He said, "Congrats Rosie hell of a season World No. 1, Rosie's obviously the best player in the world he's been so consistent the year he had end of the season last year beginning of this year was phenomenal and he's continued to build on it.&nbsp;

"You don't get to be world number one overnight it takes a while and he's done that congratulations to Rosie and his entire family," he added.

US golfer Tiger Woods won the PGA Tour Championship by two shots to claim his first victory in five years. He said it is hard to believe that he has won the title.

US golfer Tiger Woods won the PGA Tour Championship by two shots to claim his first victory in five years. He said it is hard to believe that he has won the title. "I was having a hard time not crying the last hole," revealed Woods after claiming an emotional and remarkable win. "I was having a hard time not crying the last hole. I said, hey, you know what, I can still blade this thing out of bounds. Just suck it up and let's hit some shots. Here, and once I got the ball on the green, I gave Joey a high five because it was done. I could handle that from there," said Woods while speaking to NBC. The 40-years-old led throughout the final round and finished at 11-under-par 269 at East Lake, where he carded a closing 71 for his 80th PGA Tour victory. Congratulations to our boss on winning the Tour Championship today, marking it his 80th PGA Tour victory and a comeback for the ages. - TGR #TW80 pic.twitter.com/A0ZR8WceRc — Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 23, 2018 × Final scores @PlayoffFinale: 1. @TigerWoods, -11 2. @BillyHo_Golf, -9 3. @DJohnsonPGA, -7 4. Hideki Matsuyama, -6 4. @WebbSimpson1, -6 4. @JustinRose99, -6 7. @RickieFowler, -5 7. @JustinThomas34, -5 7. @XSchauffele, -5 7. @McIlroyRory, -5 Leaderboard: https://t.co/vZk1d8dmgT pic.twitter.com/gJQ0rffMVH — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 23, 2018 × "I don't know, but it was just a grind out there. I loved every bit of it. The fight and the grind and the tough conditions and just have to suck it up and hit shots, and I loved every bit of it," said emotional Woods. Woods, who entered the final round with three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, tapped in to move within two victories of Sam Snead's all-time record of 82 titles. 80. 🏆 Count 'em.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/sg4gMoiHoS — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 24, 2018 × Watch his post-match interview: Live with @TigerWoods, the winner of the @PlayoffFinale. 🏆🎤 https://t.co/tb2XcgxUwQ — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 23, 2018 × He congratulated Rose on winning FedEx Cup, He said, "Congrats Rosie hell of a season World No. 1, Rosie's obviously the best player in the world he's been so consistent the year he had end of the season last year beginning of this year was phenomenal and he's continued to build on it. "You don't get to be world number one overnight it takes a while and he's done that congratulations to Rosie and his entire family," he added.

'Hard to believe': Tiger Woods reacts to PGA Tour Championship victory

Robert Streb, who has not had a US top-10 finish in a year, matched the record-low round in major golf history on Friday with a seven-under par 63 at Baltusrol to seize a share of the lead at the PGA Championship. 
 
The 29-year-old American began on the back nine and made eight birdies, the last of them on a 21-foot putt at the par-three ninth to match compatriot Jimmy Walker for a share of the 36-hole lead at nine-under 131. 
 
Streb, whose lone US PGA victory came in the 2014 McGladrey Classic, has gone 27 US PGA events without a top-10 showing since placing 10th at the 2015 PGA Championship, although he was fourth at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa on the European Tour. 
 
He missed the cut in all three prior majors this year but played the round of his life to put himself in contention for a major title. Top-ranked defending champion Jason Day shared third with Argentina&#39;s Emiliano Grillo on 133. 
 
The Australian&#39;s round of 65 included a run of seven birdies in eight holes. British Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden was alone in fifth after his second consecutive 67 with two-time major winner Martin Kaymer of Germany sharing sixth on 135 with Americans Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka. 
 
(AFP)

Streb missed the cut in all three prior majors this year but played the round of his life to put himself in contention for a major title

Robert Streb, who has not had a US top-10 finish in a year, matched the record-low round in major golf history on Friday with a seven-under par 63 at Baltusrol to seize a share of the lead at the PGA Championship. The 29-year-old American began on the back nine and made eight birdies, the last of them on a 21-foot putt at the par-three ninth to match compatriot Jimmy Walker for a share of the 36-hole lead at nine-under 131. Streb, whose lone US PGA victory came in the 2014 McGladrey Classic, has gone 27 US PGA events without a top-10 showing since placing 10th at the 2015 PGA Championship, although he was fourth at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa on the European Tour. He missed the cut in all three prior majors this year but played the round of his life to put himself in contention for a major title. Top-ranked defending champion Jason Day shared third with Argentina's Emiliano Grillo on 133. The Australian's round of 65 included a run of seven birdies in eight holes. British Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden was alone in fifth after his second consecutive 67 with two-time major winner Martin Kaymer of Germany sharing sixth on 135 with Americans Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka. (AFP)

Robert Streb fires 63 to share PGA lead with Walker

Jimmy Walker shrugged off some recent struggles to shoot a five-under-par 65 and claim the first-round lead in the PGA Championship at a hot, steamy Baltusrol Golf Club on Thursday. 
 
Major winners were close behind.&nbsp;Lurking in striking range was world number one and defending champion Jason Day who, despite not setting foot on the course until Wednesday, patiently plotted his way through the 7,328-yard layout to shoot 68. 
 
British Open champion Henrik Stenson was even closer after a birdie at the par-five 18th for 67. 
 
Despite lively afternoon winds and the wear and tear on the greens for the later starters, twice major winner Martin Kaymer of Germany posted a 66 to join Argentina&#39;s Emiliano Grillo and Englishman Ross Fisher in a tie for second. 
 
Walker, who has missed four cuts in his last eight events including the US Open and British Open, found his form at the year&#39;s last major. 
 
&quot;I just haven&#39;t been scoring, I haven&#39;t been making the 15, 18-footers you need to make to start running up the leaderboard,&quot; said Walker who won three times in 2014 and twice last year, but has just three top-10s from 19 events this season. 
 
The 2014 US Ryder Cup player made good use of his putter on Thursday, making four birdies over his first nine after starting at 10, and gaining two more strokes at the first and seventh to take a one-shot lead. 
 
Fisher birdied the two closing par-fives for a big finish, while Grillo was boosted by back-to-back birdies from the 14th. 
 
Grillo, who won the Frys.com Open to start his season, said he gained confidence from his tie for 12th at this month&#39;s British Open. 
 
&quot;Playing well anywhere in the world, it helps your confidence,&quot; Grillo, 23, told reporters. &quot;Bringing that into this tournament, one of the biggest four on the planet, it&#39;s a big boost.&quot; 
 
Day&#39;s preparation was disrupted by a bug he caught from his children and an emergency trip to the hospital with his wife, who had a bad allergic reaction on Tuesday night.&nbsp;But the Australian showed no ill effects from his quick study of Baltusrol. 
 
&quot;I played good today. Drove it very nicely and hit a lot of good iron shots,&quot; Day said.&nbsp;&quot;To be able to go out there and hit it exactly where I&#39;m going and see the shot and what I need to do and actually execute it was exciting for me. Really positive stuff going into the next three rounds.&quot; 
 
Day&#39;s playing competitors Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson did not fare as well.&nbsp;Twice PGA winner McIlroy struggled with his putting and shot a four-over 74 without a single birdie. 
 
Mickelson revived 
 
Phil Mickelson, who won the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol, was also four-over after a bogey on his 11th hole, but revived with three birdies in a five-hole stretch from his 12th to card a 71. 
 
&quot;To come out and hit shots like I hit those first 11 holes was very disappointing,&quot; said the American, who waged a sensational duel with Stenson at Royal Troon, shooting 65 in finishing runner-up at the Open. 
 
&quot;However, I&#39;m proud that I hung in there, fought and got three back coming in. If I go out tomorrow and just play a good round, I think I can shoot mid-60s and get back in it.&quot; 
 
Stenson&#39;s playing competitors, the season&#39;s other major winners had mixed results.&nbsp;Masters champion Danny Willett birdied the last for 71, while US Open winner Dustin Johnson stumbled to four bogeys and a pair of double bogeys in his 77.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

Jimmy Walker has won three times in 2014 and twice last year, but has just three top-10s from 19 events this season

Jimmy Walker shrugged off some recent struggles to shoot a five-under-par 65 and claim the first-round lead in the PGA Championship at a hot, steamy Baltusrol Golf Club on Thursday. Major winners were close behind. Lurking in striking range was world number one and defending champion Jason Day who, despite not setting foot on the course until Wednesday, patiently plotted his way through the 7,328-yard layout to shoot 68. British Open champion Henrik Stenson was even closer after a birdie at the par-five 18th for 67. Despite lively afternoon winds and the wear and tear on the greens for the later starters, twice major winner Martin Kaymer of Germany posted a 66 to join Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and Englishman Ross Fisher in a tie for second. Walker, who has missed four cuts in his last eight events including the US Open and British Open, found his form at the year's last major. "I just haven't been scoring, I haven't been making the 15, 18-footers you need to make to start running up the leaderboard," said Walker who won three times in 2014 and twice last year, but has just three top-10s from 19 events this season. The 2014 US Ryder Cup player made good use of his putter on Thursday, making four birdies over his first nine after starting at 10, and gaining two more strokes at the first and seventh to take a one-shot lead. Fisher birdied the two closing par-fives for a big finish, while Grillo was boosted by back-to-back birdies from the 14th. Grillo, who won the Frys.com Open to start his season, said he gained confidence from his tie for 12th at this month's British Open. "Playing well anywhere in the world, it helps your confidence," Grillo, 23, told reporters. "Bringing that into this tournament, one of the biggest four on the planet, it's a big boost." Day's preparation was disrupted by a bug he caught from his children and an emergency trip to the hospital with his wife, who had a bad allergic reaction on Tuesday night. But the Australian showed no ill effects from his quick study of Baltusrol. "I played good today. Drove it very nicely and hit a lot of good iron shots," Day said. "To be able to go out there and hit it exactly where I'm going and see the shot and what I need to do and actually execute it was exciting for me. Really positive stuff going into the next three rounds." Day's playing competitors Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson did not fare as well. Twice PGA winner McIlroy struggled with his putting and shot a four-over 74 without a single birdie. Mickelson revived Phil Mickelson, who won the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol, was also four-over after a bogey on his 11th hole, but revived with three birdies in a five-hole stretch from his 12th to card a 71. "To come out and hit shots like I hit those first 11 holes was very disappointing," said the American, who waged a sensational duel with Stenson at Royal Troon, shooting 65 in finishing runner-up at the Open. "However, I'm proud that I hung in there, fought and got three back coming in. If I go out tomorrow and just play a good round, I think I can shoot mid-60s and get back in it." Stenson's playing competitors, the season's other major winners had mixed results. Masters champion Danny Willett birdied the last for 71, while US Open winner Dustin Johnson stumbled to four bogeys and a pair of double bogeys in his 77. (Reuters)

Walker sets first-round PGA pace with 65, Stenson two back

Severe thunderstorms drenched Baltusrol with heavy rain on Monday, cutting short the first practice session for the 98th PGA Championship and soaking greens that had been fast in afternoon heat. 
 
Sweltering heat greeted players in the early afternoon, but the day ended with standing water puddled across many areas of the course after thunder, lightning and downpours. 
 
PGA of America officials halted play at 4:38 pm (IST) and had spectators seek shelter, several dozen huddling in the massive souvenir tent until a break between storms allowed them a chance to leave. 
 
It was a signal that players could face a lot of extremes in this week&#39;s quest for the Wanamaker Trophy, with forecasts for hot conditions until storms are set to return for the weekend. 
 
World number one Jason Day of Australia will try to defend his first major title, which he won last year at Whistling Straits.&nbsp;&quot;I feel good about my game,&quot; Day said. &quot;I&#39;m hitting a lot of good shots and that has given me confidence. I should be good to go.&quot; 
 
Day was won seven titles in the past year and flirted with major success, sharing 10th at the Masters and eighth at the US Open.&nbsp;His mindset is less about repeating as champion, especially on a different course, than it is about achieving new feats.&nbsp;&quot;I never really look at it as defending,&quot; he said. &quot;I try to win it again. That&#39;s the mentality.&quot; 
 
World number two Dustin Johnson made his major breakthrough last month by winning the US Open at Oakmont.&nbsp;The American also won a WGC event at Firestone and shared ninth at the British Open, enough good finishes to bolster his confidence entering the final major tournament of the year. 
 
&quot;I think the game is in really good shape,&quot; Johnson said. &quot;Do a little practice on the putting in the next few days, but other than that, I`m really confident in the game right now. I feel like everything is going really well.&quot; 
 
Day will play the first two rounds alongside four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, the 2014 PGA Championship winner, and Phil Mickelson, the 46-year-old US left-hander who won the last PGA Championship played at Baltusrol in 2005. 
 
Mickelson battled British Open winner Henrik Stenson into the final holes before settling for second to the Swede at Royal Troon two weeks ago. 
 
Johnson will play on Thursday and Friday alongside Stenson and Masters champion Danny Willett of England in the annual threesome of the season&#39;s prior major winners. 
 
Each won his first major this year and none of them wants to see another first-timer take the trophy this week. 
 
(AFP)

World number one Jason Day of Australia will try to defend his first major title, which he won last year at Whistling Straits

Severe thunderstorms drenched Baltusrol with heavy rain on Monday, cutting short the first practice session for the 98th PGA Championship and soaking greens that had been fast in afternoon heat. Sweltering heat greeted players in the early afternoon, but the day ended with standing water puddled across many areas of the course after thunder, lightning and downpours. PGA of America officials halted play at 4:38 pm (IST) and had spectators seek shelter, several dozen huddling in the massive souvenir tent until a break between storms allowed them a chance to leave. It was a signal that players could face a lot of extremes in this week's quest for the Wanamaker Trophy, with forecasts for hot conditions until storms are set to return for the weekend. World number one Jason Day of Australia will try to defend his first major title, which he won last year at Whistling Straits. "I feel good about my game," Day said. "I'm hitting a lot of good shots and that has given me confidence. I should be good to go." Day was won seven titles in the past year and flirted with major success, sharing 10th at the Masters and eighth at the US Open. His mindset is less about repeating as champion, especially on a different course, than it is about achieving new feats. "I never really look at it as defending," he said. "I try to win it again. That's the mentality." World number two Dustin Johnson made his major breakthrough last month by winning the US Open at Oakmont. The American also won a WGC event at Firestone and shared ninth at the British Open, enough good finishes to bolster his confidence entering the final major tournament of the year. "I think the game is in really good shape," Johnson said. "Do a little practice on the putting in the next few days, but other than that, I`m really confident in the game right now. I feel like everything is going really well." Day will play the first two rounds alongside four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, the 2014 PGA Championship winner, and Phil Mickelson, the 46-year-old US left-hander who won the last PGA Championship played at Baltusrol in 2005. Mickelson battled British Open winner Henrik Stenson into the final holes before settling for second to the Swede at Royal Troon two weeks ago. Johnson will play on Thursday and Friday alongside Stenson and Masters champion Danny Willett of England in the annual threesome of the season's prior major winners. Each won his first major this year and none of them wants to see another first-timer take the trophy this week. (AFP)

Defending champion Day confident at storm-soaked PGA

Venezuela&#39;s Jhonattan Vegas started fast and finished strong on Sunday to seize a one-shot victory in the US PGA Tour&#39;s Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club near Toronto on Sunday. 
 
Vegas&#39;s eight-under par 64 included plenty of fireworks, starting with five straight birdies from the second through the sixth holes. 
He capped his round with a burst of three straight birdies, carding nine overall with one bogey for a 12-under par total of 276. 
 
&quot;I knew I had to get off to a fast start,&quot; said Vegas, who was five off the pace when play began. &quot;I know that I was in striking distance, but I had to get myself close to the lead early so the guys kind of know I was there.&nbsp;So I just kept pushing and kept firing at pins and kept really going right after it. I got a really good momentum, and obviously I was able to close it out with some birdies.&quot; 
 
Dustin Johnson, a co-leader after each of the first two rounds who was tied for second heading into Sunday, shot a final-round 69 and finished in a three-way tie for second on 277. 
 
He was joined by Spain&#39;s Jon Rahm, who closed with a bogey-free 67 that included a birdie on the final hole, and Scotland&#39;s Martin Laird, who also signed for a 67. 
 
Overnight leader Brandt Snedeker fired a one-under 71 that left him in a group on 278 alongside fellow Americans Ricky Barnes (68) and Steve Wheatcroft (69) and Germany&#39;s Alex Cejka (69). 
 
Australia&#39;s Geoff Ogilvy tied for the best round of the tournament, a 63, to surge from 44th place to a tie for ninth on 279. The group also included Canadian amateur Jared du Toit, who carded a 71.&nbsp;World number one and defending champion Jason Day of Australia closed with a 67 to finish tied for 14th on 281. 
 
Vegas, 29, earned his second PGA Tour win more than five years after capturing his first at the 2011 Bob Hope Classic.&nbsp;Sunday&#39;s victory gives him a two-year Tour exemption as well as berths in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey and in next year&#39;s Masters at Augusta National. 
 
(AFP)

Jhonattan Vegas earned his second PGA Tour win more than five years after capturing his first at the 2011 Bob Hope Classic

Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas started fast and finished strong on Sunday to seize a one-shot victory in the US PGA Tour's Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club near Toronto on Sunday. Vegas's eight-under par 64 included plenty of fireworks, starting with five straight birdies from the second through the sixth holes. He capped his round with a burst of three straight birdies, carding nine overall with one bogey for a 12-under par total of 276. "I knew I had to get off to a fast start," said Vegas, who was five off the pace when play began. "I know that I was in striking distance, but I had to get myself close to the lead early so the guys kind of know I was there. So I just kept pushing and kept firing at pins and kept really going right after it. I got a really good momentum, and obviously I was able to close it out with some birdies." Dustin Johnson, a co-leader after each of the first two rounds who was tied for second heading into Sunday, shot a final-round 69 and finished in a three-way tie for second on 277. He was joined by Spain's Jon Rahm, who closed with a bogey-free 67 that included a birdie on the final hole, and Scotland's Martin Laird, who also signed for a 67. Overnight leader Brandt Snedeker fired a one-under 71 that left him in a group on 278 alongside fellow Americans Ricky Barnes (68) and Steve Wheatcroft (69) and Germany's Alex Cejka (69). Australia's Geoff Ogilvy tied for the best round of the tournament, a 63, to surge from 44th place to a tie for ninth on 279. The group also included Canadian amateur Jared du Toit, who carded a 71. World number one and defending champion Jason Day of Australia closed with a 67 to finish tied for 14th on 281. Vegas, 29, earned his second PGA Tour win more than five years after capturing his first at the 2011 Bob Hope Classic. Sunday's victory gives him a two-year Tour exemption as well as berths in the PGA Championship next week at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey and in next year's Masters at Augusta National. (AFP)

Vegas powers to Canadian Open victory