Times wires
Sunday, March 6, 2011
PALM BEACH GARDENS — Rory Sabbatini entered Sunday's final round of the Honda Classic with a big lead then turned back a challenge to win by a stroke.
The South African shot even 70 to finish at 9-under 271 and edge Y.E. Yang (66) for his first PGA Tour title since the 2009 Byron Nelson and sixth overall.
"Luckily, I had enough of a cushion that I didn't get too concerned," Sabbatini said. "I knew going in that if I shot even par, it was going to be tough to catch."
Sabbatini still led by five after a par at No. 8. Seven holes later, Yang sat one back thanks to birdies at Nos. 12 and 14 and bogeys by Sabbatini at Nos. 9 and 14.
But Sabbatini sealed his win during the treacherous Nos. 15-17, the water-laden stretch known as the Bear Trap.
A change in putters before the tournament lifted Sabbatini's game. And after a par at No. 15, the new club came through with a 16-foot birdie at No. 16 that put him back up by two.
Then he put his tee shot on the par-3 No. 17 in the middle of the green. Moments later, lightning halted play. But the threat had passed. After a 28-minute delay, Sabbatini made par on the hole.
"I tried to play those holes as smartly as I could and just try to eliminate any opportunity for some big numbers," Sabbatini said. "There's a pretty good reason they call it the Bear Trap because if it doesn't get you one way, it's going to get you another. It definitely caused some stress for me."
But Yang said he was more shaky than Sabbatini.
"Usually, if you're in front, if you're running away from somebody, you tend to be a bit nervous," the South Korean said through an interpreter. "But in Rory's case, apart from No. 14, he seemed really calm. I commend him for being … so emotionally stable. I wasn't."