PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico: American Harris English fired a six-under-par 65 yesterday and pulled away for a four-shot victory in the US PGA Tour’s $6m OHL Classic.
English finished 72 holes on El Camaleon Golf Course at 21-under-par 263 for his second PGA Tour victory.
The other came at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis in June.
While his victories took place in the same calendar year, they are in different seasons, since this week’s tournament was the sixth event in the US tour’s new “wrap-around” 2013-14 schedule.
The new-look campaign will resume January 3 with the Tournament of Champions in Maui, Hawaii.
“It was an awesome win,” English said. “I was a lot more comfortable out there than I was in Memphis.
“I hit the ball really well all week,” he added. “It got a little windy the first couple of days and I struggled a little bit with my driver, but I found it coming down the stretch and hit some good shots.”
Brian Stuard carded a final-round 67 and second place in the rain-hit tournament on 17-under 267.
South African Rory Sabbatini posted a 70 to head a group on 268 that also included Jason Bohn and Chris Stroud, who both shot 68.
Sweden’s Robert Karlsson had held the lead after completing the third round on Sunday morning.
He closed with a one-over 72 that dropped him into a tie for sixth on 269. He was joined by Charles Howell (69), Justin Hicks (67) and Justin Leonard (67).
The $6m tournament had been behind schedule since Thursday, when heavy rain saw just 15 players complete the first round.
The soggy course conditions meant players could lift, clean and place their balls in the fairway in the final round.
English, 24, bogeyed the second hole of the fourth round, but responded with birdies at seven of the next 11 to take control.
Karlsson eagled the par-five fifth, and added a birdie at eight, but endured a nightmare stretch of two bogeys and a double-bogey at the 12th, 13th and 14th to see his hopes evaporate.AFP
