Gallery: Northern Trust Open

(Image credit: JD Cuban)

published 23 February 2015

The Goose was flying, but then it was a case of the Goose was cooked, as Retief Goosen dropped five shots in four holes on the back nine of the final day. Three went into a sudden-death play-off, which took three holes to decide.

Vijay Singh was one of six co-leaders at the end of the first day on five-under-par 66. He could have been clear in the lead had a couple of short birdie putts dropped on the back nine. As it was, it was still his best start to a PGA Tour event since October 2012.

“I’m finally not hurting as much as I did the last five years,” Singh said. “That’s a big part of playing good golf. You’re not hurting, you can go out and play and you’re comfortable. Right now, nothing hurts. The golf swing feels good, and I’m happy to be playing.”

One of his co-leaders was Retief Goosen. “Nice to see the old guys play well,” Goosen remarked at the end of the day. He is 47; Singh 51.

Singh however followed up his excellent opening day with 74 on the second day, and eventually came equal 12th.

Graham DeLaet played the best round of the second day, a 67 which contained five birdies and a bogey. One of his birdies came on 16, a hole he birdied in each of the first three rounds. As he played the par-5 1st in three birdies and an eagle, he was 8 under par on these two holes alone. On the other sixteen he was an accumulated four over par.

Kevin Streelman takes a shot out of the bunker on the 17th hole during round two.

Fred Couples Northern Trust Open - Round Two

Fred Couples takes his third shot on the 13th hole during round two.

Retief Goosen Northern Trust Open - Round Three

Retief Goosen of South Africa takes his second shot on the 15th hole during round three of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. Goosen had lead at the end of all the first three rounds, and was still leading after his first 12 holes of the final day, but then it all fell apart when he made a double bogey followed by three bogeys. Birdies on the final two holes pulled his round back to 75, and a share of 8th position.

Justin Thomas Northern Trust Open - Round Three

Justin Thomas tees off on the third hole during round three of the Northern Trust Open.

James Hahn celebrates the winning putt on the 75th hole, having defeated Paul Casey and then Dustin Johnson during the play-off.

Contributing Writer Golf courses and travel are Roderick’s particular interests and he was contributing editor for the first few years of the Golf Monthly Travel Supplement. He writes travel articles and general features for the magazine, travel supplement and website. He also compiles the magazine's crossword. He is a member of Trevose Golf & Country Club and has played golf in around two dozen countries. Cricket is his other main sporting love. He is the author of five books, four of which are still in print: The Novel Life of PG Wodehouse; The Don: Beyond Boundaries; Wally Hammond: Gentleman & Player and England’s Greatest Post-War All Rounder.