Woods stunned to learn of Bryant’s death

Herbert claims 1st European Tour title

SAN DIEGO, Jan 27, (AP): Marc Leishman realized he had at two-shot lead as he stood over a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole at Torrey Pines. He also knew Jon Rahm was the only one who could catch him.

That made his final birdie all the more important.

It turned out to be the winner in the Farmers Insurance Open, much to Rahm’s surprise.

Leishman shot 31 on the front nine to seize control, came up with three big par saves on the back nine and closed with a birdie for a 7-under 65 and a one-shot victory.

Rahm played so badly at the start – two bogeys and a double bogey through five holes – that he started firing away, and few players are more dangerous. He made an eagle and three birdies over a fivehole

SAN DIEGO, Jan 27, (AP): Tiger Woods has heard just about everything from playing before the biggest crowds in golf, and he tends to ignore it. Most puzzling was what he kept hearing along the back nine Sunday at Torrey Pines. “Do it for Mamba.” Only after Woods finished his final round of 2-under 70 to tie for ninth in the Farmers Insurance Open did he realize what it meant. His caddie, Joe LaCava, told him as they walked to

Rory McIlroy, needing a victory to return to No. 1 in the world, started three shots behind in the final group and opened with two straight bogeys.

He missed a short birdie attempt on the third, and then pulled his tee shot into the hazard and had to scramble for bogey.

Much like Rahm, he stayed in the mix by playing his last five holes on the front nine in 5 under. McIlroy couldn’t make up enough ground, shot 69 and tied for third with Brandt Snedeker (68).

Australia’s Lucas Herbert celebrates with his trophy after he won the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,

on Jan 26. (AP) the scoring room that Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash. Woods could be heard replying, “Excuse me?” Such was the shock for Woods that he made a rare detour from his two media stops to sign autographs, presumably to collect his thoughts. Woods typically signs after he is done with his interviews.

“One of the most shocking, tragic days that I’ve ever been a part of,” Woods said.

Tiger Woods, trying to set the PGA Tour record with his 83rd career victory, never got anything going. Woods had to settle for a 70 and tied for ninth, six shots behind.

Woods and Kobe Bryant began their pro careers the same year. Only after the round did Woods learn Bryant had died in a helicopter crash about 30 minutes north of Los Angeles.

DUBAI:

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Lucas Herbert marked Australia Day in his native country by capturing his first professional title, beating Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa at the second hole of a playoff to win the Dubai Desert Classic after a wild final round on Sunday.

Herbert rolled in a birdie putt from 2 feet at the 18th on his third trip up the par-5 last hole at Emirates Golf Club, after Bezuidenhout failed to get up and down from the back of the green for his own birdie.

The 24-year-old Herbert dedicated his victory to the people back home battling Australia’s unprecedented wildfire crisis.

“Obviously there’s some pretty awful stuff happening right now in Australia with the fires,” Herbert said.

“Everyone around the world is behind us and hopefully we can keep fighting harder than what I did on the first playoff hole. That’s nothing compared to the firefighters and volunteers putting out the fires. Sending all my love back home and hope everyone is well.”

Herbert and Bezuidenhout both shot 4-under 68s to come from six shots behind at the start of the final day to finish on 9-under 279, two strokes clear of three players – Tom Lewis (74), Dean Burmester (72) and Adri Arnaus (70).

Bryson DeChambeau, seeking to retain the title, finished with four straight bogeys to drop out of contention and wound up four shots off the lead after a 76.