USA TODAY International Edition
Simpson, McDowell rally in final round to end droughts
Webb Simpson wins Phoenix Open playoff; Brit beats Dustin Johnson in Saudi Arabia.
Back in the winner’s circle. Graeme McDowell shot a final- round even- par 70 Sunday to finish 12 under and win the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in Saudi Arabia. It is his 11th European Tour title. He now has won in three decades, has 16 professional wins across 13 countries and finds himself back inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
McDowell, 40, finished two shots clear of defending champion Dustin Johnson, whose 3- under 67 ( which included an eagle on the final hole) wasn’t enough.
“It’s special,” McDowell said. “I’ve been working hard the last year and a half. I want to be back up there one more time just to be able to play against these guys.” He said he’s excited to be back in great form and that it happened “a little faster than I expected” and hopes it lays the foundations “for having a big year.”
Phil Mickelson, Thomas Pieters and Gavin Green finished T- 3 at 9 under.
– Adam Woodard PGA Tour Champions: Brett Quigley never won in 408 tries on the PGA Tour. On Saturday, he won his second start on the PGA Tour Champions at the Morocco Champions. He last won a tournament at the 2001 Arkansas Classic on the now Korn Ferry Tour.
Quigley did finish second five times in those 408 starts and has earned more than $ 11 million in his playing career.
Stephen Ames entered the day with the lead but Quigley shot a second straight 66 to finish at 15 under. Ames shot a 70 to finish a shot back.