South African Tim Clark ended an eight-year PGA Tour title drought with a one-shot victory at the Players Championship on Sunday.
South African wins golf's richest tournament
South African Tim Clark ended an eight-year PGA Tour title drought with a one-shot victory at the Players Championship in Florida on Sunday.
Clark stormed from three behind England's Lee Westwood overnight to seal the win, hitting a superb run of five birdies in six holes around the turn to go one stroke ahead of the chasing pack at the TPC Sawgrass.
The 34-year-old parred the last six holes for an outstanding five-under-par 67, the best round of the day, and a 16-under total of 272 to win the tournament widely classed as the 'fifth major'.
Clark had previously finished as a runner-up eight times on the US circuit, so he was understandably delight to have finally broken his duck.
"It has been a long time on this tour... I just hoped it would happen one day," said Clark.
"I came out today and showed what I can do on the golf course.
"That's as good as I could have played. The course is that demanding that I just couldn't let up and I had to concentrate on every shot."
Withdrawal
Australian Robert Allenby finished second after he birdied two of the last five holes for a 70, while Westwood had to settle for a tie for fourth at 12 under after dumping his tee shot into water at the short 17th on the way to a 74.
Westwood was still in the running at two behind with two to play, but a double bogey on 17 put the nail in his campaign.
Tiger Woods, though, walked off the course after completing just six holes in his final round, with the world No.1 citing a neck injury for the reason behind his withdrawal.
"I've been playing with a bad neck for quite a while," said Woods. "I can't play through it any more."
Phil Mickelson failed to take advantage of Woods' withdrawal as he dropped to 17th. Victory for the left-hander would have seen Mickelson end Woods' 598-week stay at the top of the world rankings, however he could only card a two-over 74 in the final round.
Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Oliver Wilson also had disappointing final rounds. Donald and McDowell carded rounds of 75 and 74 respectively to be tied for 26th on five-under, while Wilson slumped with seven bogeys over his final 12 holes to finish on 79 for one over.
