Rahm wins again, building career quickly
LA QUINTA, Calif. — Jon Rahm beat Andrew Landry with a 12-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole of a playoff Sunday at the CareerBuilder Challenge.
In fading light on the Stadium Course at PGA West, Rahm finished off Landry for his second PGA Tour title and fourth worldwide victory in a year. The 23-yearold Spaniard will jump from third to second in the World Golf Ranking behind Dustin Johnson.
“It’s hard to believe, to be honest, passing Jordan Spieth, three-time major champion,” Rahm said. “I only have two wins and he’s got 10-plus, right? I never thought I was going to be at this point in my life right now.”
Rahm overcame surprising par-5 problems in regulation to shoot 5-under 67. Landry, playing a group behind Rahm in the final threesome, forced the playoff with an 11-foot birdie putt on the water-guarded 18th for a 68. They finished at 22-under 266.
“Tournaments like this build character,” Rahm said. “I’m just proud of myself to hit what’s probably my least favorite club, which is the 3-wood, three times in a row dead center on my line on 18 — four times if you include the regular play.
“To be honest, really happy the way it happened … and really proud of the way I played. I hit a lot of bad putts today, hit a lot of edges, but lucky the one I needed to make went in.”
After Rahm made his birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole, Landry missed an 11-footer. Landry, 30, had his best career PGA Tour finish and third top-three finish of the season.
Rahm parred the four par 5s Sunday after going 13 under on 12 par 5s in the first three rounds. He started the week with a career-best 62 at La Quinta Country Club, shot a 67 Friday on the Nicklaus Course and had a 70 at the Stadium Course on Saturday.
Adam Hadwin (68), Martin Piller (70) and John Huh (66) tied for third at 20 under, with Kevin Chappell (67) and Scott Piercy (70) another stroke back. Baylor School graduate Harris English 966) shared 11th at 17 under, with former Red Raiders standout Keith Mitchell (74) tied for 69th at 6 under. Third-round leader Austin Cook had a 75 to tie for 14th at 16 under.
Fleetwood repeats in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Tommy Fleetwood repeated as the winner at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after a sensational back nine that clinched the victory.
Fleetwood started the final round of the European Tour event two shots behind overnight leaders Ross Fisher and Thomas Pieters, and an indifferent front nine led to him making the turn five shots behind Fisher as gusty winds hit the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Fleetwood birdied six of the final nine holes for a 7-under 65 that put him at 22-under 267. Fisher missed birdie chances on his final two holes and wound up two strokes back after a 69.
Rory McIlroy (70), who made a comeback to tournament golf after nearly 100 days off, tied for third at 18 under alongside Matthew Fitzpatrick (69). Pieters (72) and Chris Paisley (69) shared fifth.
Garcia closes well for victory
SINGAPORE — Sergio Garcia began his 20th year as a pro by closing with a 3-under 68 for a five-shot victory at the Singapore Open. It was the 28th career win for the 2017 Masters champion.
Starting the final round of the rain-delayed event at Sentosa Golf Club, the 38-year-old Spaniard birdied his first hole, picked up two more birdies before the turn and made all pars on the back nine.
Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira (71) and South Africa’s Shaun Norris (70) shared second.
Jazz Janewattananond, a 22-year-old Thai, was among four in the field who earned spots in the British Open. The others went to Danthai Boonma of Thailand, Sean Crocker of the United States and Lucas Herbert of Australia.
Kelly tops Monty in Hawaii
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Jerry Kelly bounced back from an inexplicable miss off the tee to stun Colin Montgomerie in the PGA Tour Champions season opener.
Kelly made an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole, Montgomerie missed a six-footer for par and Kelly turned a oneshot deficit into a victory late Saturday at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship.
Kelly was tied with Montgomerie when he drove it well right into lava rocks on the wide par-4 16th. He hit a provisional but ended up taking an unplayable lie after he found his ball amid the rocks and made bogey. On 18, it was Montgomerie who made a mistake off the tee, finding a fairway bunker. His approach went over the green, and after Kelly converted his birdie, Montgomerie jammed his par putt well past the hole.
Kelly closed with a 6-under 66 for a three-day total of 18-under 198. Montgomerie shot 69. David Toms had a 67 and finished two shots back, and Miguel Angel Jimenez (66) was another stroke behind.