Hawaii’s Oda places eighth in PGA Tour event
DENNIS ODA/ DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
John Oda (Honolulu) teeing off on the 10th hole in the afternoon to start their round in the first round of the Sony Open In Hawaii golf tournament at the Waialae Country Club. He finished even par.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico >> Former Moanalua High golfer John Oda closed with a 1-under 70 to finish in eighth place at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba on Sunday.
Oda, a two-time Hawaii state high school champion who was one shot out of the lead after two rounds Saturday, ended at 12-under 272 for the tournament, his first PGA Tour event as a pro.
Patton Kizzire, who had a four-shot lead with seven holes remaining, didn’t flinch and left Rickie Fowler, No. 10 in the world rankings, one shot behind. Kizzire shot 66 and 67 in the final two rounds Sunday in the rain-plagued event to wind up at 19-under 265.
Fowler fell too far behind and began his rally too late. Two straight birdies brought him to within one shot going to the 18th at El Camaleon Golf Club, only for Fowler to hit a short iron some 35 feet left of the flag and leave his birdie attempt short.
“I was glad to get it done,” Kizzire said . “Rickie made me work hard.”
Si Woo Kim tried to get into the mix until a double bogey in the middle of his back nine. He still closed with a 65 to finish third, his best finish since he won The Players Championship in May.
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With his eighth-place finish, Oda, who played collegiately at UNLV, earned a spot in the RSM Classic next week at Sea Island. Added late to the tournament as an alternate, he earned $220,100.
Sutherland is Champions champion for 2017
PHOENIX >> Kevin Sutherland finally broke through on the PGA Tour Champions, taking the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship — and topping the yearlong competition, too.
Sutherland closed with a 5-under 66 on Sunday for a one-stroke victory over Vijay Singh at Phoenix Country Club.
“I don’t even know. It’s like a whirlwind thing. It’s amazing,” Sutherland said. “I mean, the names on this trophy are incredible. I’ve seen it, and to be on that list is just, I can’t even put words to it, it’s just amazing.”
Bernhard Langer, the winner of the first two playoff events, had a 64 to tie for 12th — five strokes back. Langer slipped to second in the season standings, missing a chance to win a fourth title in a row and fifth overall.
Grace takes Nedbank title
SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA >> South Africa’s Branden Grace won the Nedbank Golf Challenge by one shot after finishing 11-under par on Sunday, making a 30-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to edge in front and become the first home winner at Sun City in a decade.
He finished one shot ahead of playing partner Scott Jamieson.
