Fowler shoots course record 61 to claim Hero World Challenge

Woods fades back as course record seals victory in Bahamas

Rickie Fowler produced a course record round of 61 to surge to victory in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas as Tiger Woods’ challenge evaporated over the weekend.

Fowler, who had gone into the final day on seven under par, birdied the first seven holes and then the ninth as he went out in 28, and carded three more on the back nine to finish 18 under.

Woods had earlier reached the turn in 31, including an eagle two at the seventh, as he shot a final round 68 to bounce back from Saturday’s three-over-par 75.

Woods had exceeded expectations on his latest comeback from injury, following a solid opening round with a spectacular second in which an eagle on the ninth helped him briefly hold the outright lead.

However, a double bogey at the 10th yesterday and dropped shots at the final two holes left him on eight under.

But it was overnight leader Charley Hoffman who suffered the most as his five-shot advantage and his hopes of victory disappeared with a round of 72.

Hoffman finished with nine successive pars to claim second place four shots behind Fowler and two ahead of England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth, who shot 67 and 69 respectively.

Justin Rose ended his tournament with a two-under-par 70 to claim a share of fifth place along with Patrick Reed and Hideki Matsuyama on 11 under.

Woods, who has started just three events since August 2015, and Matt Kuchar tied in ninth place behind Italy’s Francesco Molinari.

Final scores (USA unless stated): 270 Rickie Fowler 67 70 72 61

274 Charley Hoffman 69 63 70 72 276 Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) 66 69 74 67, Jordan Spieth 68 67 72 69

277 Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn) 71 66 72 68, Justin Rose (Eng) 68 68 71 70, Patrick Reed72 66 71 68

278 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 69 68 71 70

280 Tiger Woods 69 68 75 68, Matt Kuchar 67 70 72 71

281 Justin Thomas 69 70 74 68 287 Alex Noren (Swe) 73 69 74 71, Kevin Kisner 70 72 75 70

288 Dustin Johnson 68 72 76 72, Daniel Berger 75 73 70 70, Kevin Chappell68 70 74 76

289 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 70 71 77 71 291 Brooks Koepka 71 78 72 70

Picture: Getty Images. Winner Rickie Fowler, right, with tournament host Tiger Woods at the presentation.