Honolulu, Jan 19: Chris Gotterup opened the new PGA Tour season with three big birdies on the back nine that carried him to a 6-under 64 and a two-shot victory in the Sony Open, his third straight season with a victory as he moves closer to golf’s A-list.
Gotterup was two shots behind when he took advantage of a collapse by 54-hole leader Davis Riley and then poured it on with a mixture of power and putting along the back nine of breezy Waialae Country Club to keep everyone else from catching him.
Gotterup, who finished at 16-under 264, moves to No. 17 in the world. He was at No. 195 in the world when he left the Sony Open a year ago.
Ryan Gerard birdied his last two holes for a 65 to finish alone in second. Patrick Rodgers also shot 65 to finish third.
Gotterup won the Scottish Open last year by outplaying Rory McIlroy, and he won the opposite-field Myrtle Beach Classic in his rookie season.
The Sony Open was the latest start to the PGA Tour season because The Sentry at Kapalua on Maui was canceled due to a water dispute that had the course brown in September. (AP)
