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Adam Scott claims Honda Classic victory ahead of Sergio Garcia

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Adam Scott held off a final day challenge from Sergio Garcia to claim the Honda Classic and said it felt like hard work

Adam Scott edged through a final day battle with Sergio Garcia to claim a one-shot victory at the Honda Classic.

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Honda Classic

Last week's Northern Trust Open runner-up mixed three birdies with as many bogeys during a topsy-turvy final round 70 at PGA National, sealing a first PGA Tour victory in nearly two years with a close-range par putt at the last. 

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Highlights from the fourth round of the Honda Classic from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Playing alongside Garcia for the second day running, Scott seized the early initiative by sinking a 15-foot gain at the first and doubled his advantage with a birdie-two at the short fifth.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 28:  Adam Scott of Australia waits to putt on the first green during the final round of the Honda Classic at PGA National
Image: Scott becomes the first player since 2009 to win a PGA Tour event after carding a quadruple bogey in his week

The Australian saw his lead drop back to one after failing to get up and down from the greenside bunker at the ninth, before a wayward drive and a poor chip at the next saw the former world No 1 post a second successive bogey and slip back joint-top of the leaderboard.

A run of 10 consecutive pars came to an end for Garcia when he missed a two-foot putt at the 11th, as Scott regained his two stroke cushion with a superb approach from the bunker and a kick-in birdie at the next.

 Sergio Garcia of Spain hits his tee shot on the eighth hole during the final round of the Honda Classic at PGA Natio
Image: The Spaniard briefly moved back in to a share of the lead

The Spaniard responded by carding a first gain of the day at the 14th, but gave his shot back when his second shot in to the par-four 16th landed short of the green.

A three-putt bogey from 40 feet by Scott at the same hole briefly handed Justin Thomas a lifeline two strokes back, but a double-bogey at the par-three 17th ended his hopes of victory.

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Garcia posted back-to-back dropped shots when he found the rough off the penultimate tee and couldn't save par from 13 feet, as Scott tapped-in for a three to extend his cushion heading to the last. 

Sergio Garcia of Spain hits his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the Honda Classic at PGA Nation
Image: Garcia's winless run on the PGA Tour continues

With Scott deciding to lay-up at the par-five 18th, Garcia attempted to find the green in two but ended up firing his approach in to the spectators. 

Although Garcia pitched to 15 feet and trickled in a late gain to close a one-over 71, Scott was able to seal victory and secure a place back in the world's top 10 by nudging in a three-footer.

"I fought hard and I thought I stayed calm," Garcia said. "I gave it my all, but hit a couple of bad shots on a couple of difficult holes and it wasn't good enough.

"I think he deserved it. I don't feel like my swing was anywhere near where I wanted it to be but I scored nicely.

"I putted well and chipped well but he played great. He played better than me at the end of the day, it's as simple as that."

Thomas carded a one-under 69 to end the week tied-third alongside Blayne Barber, with Graeme McDowell a further stroke back.

Rickie Fowler of the United States hits his tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the Honda Classic
Image: Fowler struggled to make an impact for the second day running

Vijay Singh recovered from dropping three shots in a three-hole stretch along the back nine to post his first top-10 finish on the PGA Tour since 2013, as one-time leader Rickie Fowler ended a frustrating final round with a one-over 71. 

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