adminPALM BEACH GARDEN. — Russell Henley won the US PGA Tour Honda Classic on Sunday with a birdie at the first hole of a four-way playoff, denying Rory McIlroy in a golf tournament he’d led for three rounds.
Henley rolled in his birdie putt at the par-five 18th for the victory after Northern Ireland’s two-time major champion McIlroy, Scotland’s Russell Knox and American Ryan Palmer had all parred the par-five that served as the decider.
Henley had parred his final three holes after a double bogey at the par-three 15th to close out a two-over par 72 and finish the tournament on eight-under 272.
McIlroy endured a difficult day at PGA National, posting a four-over 74, while Knox carded a one-over 71 and Palmer posted a one-under 69.
Despite his struggles, McIlroy had a chance to win at the final hole of regulation, where he stuck his 240-yard second shot 11 feet from the pin, but his eagle putt trickled past.
In the playoff, Henley was the only player to reach the green in two, and he two-putted from some 40 feet for birdie.
Palmer missed a 10-foot birdie attempt, while McIlroy fired out of a bunker to the front fringe and had to scramble for par and Knox missed a 20-foot birdie putt.
“This isn’t going to sink in for a while,” said Henley, whose bid for a second career title appeared to be over after his double-bogey five at the par-three 15th.
“I don’t know what’s going on right now,” he added. “I’m so nervous coming down the stretch, just trying to hang in there, trying to enjoy it.”
American Billy Hurley carded a 68 to finish fifth on 273. Canada’s David Hearn with a 67 and American Will MacKenzie with a 70 shared sixth on 274.
World number one Tiger Woods withdrew after 13 holes citing back pain.
Woods, who had barely made the cut but came alive with a five-under 65 on Saturday, was five over for the day when he called it quits. — AFP.
Online Reporter