ZCZC
BSP-11
GOLF-USPGA
Schauffele roars back to seize Tournament of Champions win
LOS ANGELES, Jan 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Xander Schauffele made two eagles in a
remarkable 11-under par 62 on Sunday to seize victory in the US PGA Tour
Tournament of Champions by one stroke from Gary Woodland.
Schauffele started the day five shots off Woodland’s lead and opened with
a bogey on the par-73 Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii.
He birdied four of his next five holes before chipping in for his first
eagle of the day at the ninth.
He holed out for an eagle from 107 yards out in the fairway at 12, birdied
14 and 15 and capped his round with back-to-back-birdies to edge his fellow
American, who had led four-time major winner Rory McIlroy by three strokes
coming into the final round.
“Honestly, it was a crazy day,” Schauffele said after signing for a 23-
under total of 269.
Woodland had five birdies in his 68 for 270.
Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, meanwhile, could get nothing going, finishing
with a one-under 72 that him tied for fourth, eight shots off the pace. He
finished on 277 alongside American Dustin Johnson and Australian Marc
Leishman.
Justin Thomas carded a 65 to finish alone in third on 274.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1000 hrs