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Hunter Mahan - Source: Photosport -
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American Hunter Mahan closed with a six-under 65 and overcame a final round challenge from South Korea's Yang Yong-eun to win the Phoenix Open on Monday.
PGA champion Yang, who started the day six strokes behind the
lead, had also fired a 65 and was in control of the tournament
before he threw away a two-stroke advantage on the 17th with a
costly bogey when he pulled his drive into the water.
Mahan made a 14-foot birdie putt on the raucous 16th hole then
capped his round with a six-footer for par to conclude at 16-under,
one stroke better than fellow American Rickie Fowler, and claim his
second PGA Tour title.
"This means a lot, to play the way I did down the stretch, (it)
feels great," Mahan told reporters after coming from four back to
win his first event since 2007. "I feel like great players win, and
I want to be a great player."
The 21-year-old Fowler had missed a 30-foot attempt on 18 that
would have given him a tie for the lead, though a decision to play
cautiously on the par-five 15th when he chose to lay up with his
second shot instead of attacking the pin was not a factor in
whether he won or lost the tournament, he said.
"The way I look at it, it wasn't won (or lost) on 15. I thought I
could hit a wedge up there (for a third shot) and give myself a
chance," said Fowler.
"I would re-hit the wedge shot if I could."
Australia's Mathew Goggin, Chris Couch and Charles Howell III tied
for fourth at 13-under.
Twice champion Phil Mickelson finished with a 67 to get to
nine-under and a tie for 24th but is still looking for his first
win of the year.
Overnight leader Brandt Snedeker bogeyed three of his first seven
holes and was never a factor as he finished with a seven-over 78
and dropped into a tie for 43rd on seven-under 277.
Phoenix Open final round scores click here
