Fowler makes it easy in Honda Classic win
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. — Rickie Fowler made it interesting Sunday for as long as it took him to make two big putts to pull away in the Honda Classic golf tournament.
Staked to a four-shot lead, Fowler hit one putt into a sprinkler hole, hit a tee shot into the water and watched a big lead shrink to one over Gary Woodland early on the back nine. Fowler answered with consecutive birdie putts of 40 and 25 feet and closed with a 1-over 71 for a four-shot victory.
“If I don’t make those putts, I’ve got a pretty tight race,” Fowler said.
Instead, those chasing him had the biggest problems with the closing stretch at PGA National. Fowler effectively ended it with a shot over the water to the three feet that stretched his lead to five shots with two holes to play. Woodland appeared to have second place wrapped up until he three-putted the 17th, and then tried to lay up on the par-5 18th and came up short into the water. He closed with another bogey for a 69. He had to share second place, the difference of $128,000, with Morgan Hoffmann, who missed a four-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
Graham DeLaet (70) of Weyburn, Sask., finished in 10th place at 6 under.
David Hearn (73) of Brantford tied for 43rd and Mackenzie Hughes (75) of Dundas tied for 66th.