Jimmy Walker produced a stunning weekend performance at Waialae Country Club to win the Sony Open in Hawaii for the second consecutive year
Jimmy Walker produced a stunning weekend performance at Waialae Country Club to win the Sony Open in Hawaii for the second consecutive year.
The American compiled rounds of 62 and 63 on Saturday and Sunday to make up for disappointment last week at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, where he lost out to Patrick Reed in a play-off.
Walker, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour last season, started the final round two shots clear of Matt Kuchar.
Both Ryder Cup players parred the first seven holes, but things changed dramatically at the 8th.
Walker stiffed his approach for a tap-in birdie, but Kuchar found trouble off the tee and walked off with a bogey five.
From that point onwards, it was a stroll in the park for Walker, who made six more birdies over the final 10 holes to complete a nine-shot victory.
"I really wanted to finish out the day today, which I didn't do last week," said Walker.
"I kept grinding and making putts and that's what I did today.
"It was really fun. I've got good people. I've got a great trainer, a good coach in Butch Harmon and a great wife and kids. Things are good."
The last player to win back-to-back Sony Open titles was Ernie Els in 2004.
American Scott Piercy carded a final-round 66 to take second place, one shot clear of Kuchar, Harris English and Gary Woodland, who both returned 67s.
Three Englishman made their 2015 debuts at the Sony Open, with Brian Davis finishing in a tie for 6th.
Paul Casey - who opened with a 62 to share the first-round lead with Webb Simpson - could only muster a 30th-place finish, 21 places higher than Luke Donald.
Sony Open in Hawaii Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii Jan 15-18, purse $5,600,000, par 70
1) Jimmy Walker (USA) 66-66-62-63 = 257 $1,008,000 2) Scott Piercy (USA) 67-67-66-66 = 266 $604,800 T3) Harris English (USA) 66-69-65-67 = 267 $291,200 T3) Matt Kuchar (USA) 65-63-68-71 = 267 $291,200 T3) Gary Woodland (USA) 70-65-65-67 = $291,200 T6) Zac Blair (USA) 71-66-64-67 = 268 $163,600 T6) Brian Davis (ENG) 66-70-65-67 = 268 $163,600 T6) Max Homa (USA) 69-67-63-69 = 268 $163,600 T6) Jerry Kelly (USA) 73-62-67-66 = $163,600 T6) Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 64-67-74-63 = $163,000 T6) Shawn Stefani (USA) 69-66-65-68 $163,000 T6) Justin Thomas (USA) 67-61-70-70 $163,000
Bold signifies Titleist golf ball usage
