Gary Woodland claims Phoenix triumph

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Gary Woodland claimed his first victory on the PGA Tour in nearly five years after he beat Chez Reavie in a playoff to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Sunday.

The American came into the final day at TPC Scottsdale three shots off the lead, but he produced an impressive seven-under-par round of 64, which included three birdies at his final four holes, as he moved into the clubhouse lead.

It looked like that might be enough for the 33-year-old to claim the outright victory, but compatriot Reavie was able to force a playoff after he recorded birdies at his final two holes.

Both players ended the tournament on 18-under-par, three strokes clear of the rest of the field, but it was Woodland who held his nerve at the first playoff hole, as he parred when Reavie could only bogey.

That was enough to hand the world number 26 his first victory on the PGA Tour since his triumph at the Reno–Tahoe Open in August 2013 and he was understandably delighted by his impressive display. “I was in the zone,” he was quoted as saying on the PGA Tour website.

“I mean, I really had it going. My caddie asked me when I got done, did I know I made nine birdies. I didn’t even know I did that.”

Woodland will now be hoping to build on that success throughout the 2018 season and he is priced at 81.00 to win his first major title at the Masters in April.

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