Date: January 21, 2013
Author: Omnisport

Gay triumphs in play-off

Brian Gay held his nerve over two play-off holes to take out the Humana Challenge and record his first PGA Tour win in almost four years, while Australian Matt Jones finished strongly to tie for 23rd. The 41-year-old, who last won at the St Jude Classic in 2009, overcame a six-shot deficit going into the final day to claim victory, beating fellow American Charles Howell III and Swede David Lingmerth in the play-off. Gay wrapped up the win as the sun set on the Palmer Private course at PGA West after hitting a sublime approach which saw him land five feet from the cup on the par-four 10th, the second play-off hole, before easily sinking the birdie putt. Howell could only manage a bogey as his search for his first Tour win since 2007 continued. PGA Tour rookie Lingmerth was eliminated on the first play-off hole, the par-five 18th, after finding the water on his second shot and eventually carding a bogey. The trio ended the regulation 72 holes on 25 under par, with Gay finishing the day with a nine-under-par 63, Lingmerth managing to match the day&aposs best score with a 62 and Howell carding a 64. Overnight leader Scott Stallings, who went into the final day five strokes ahead, could not handle the pressure as he bogeyed the par-five last to finish with a disappointing two-under-par 70 which left him on 24 under for the tournament. Fellow American James Hahn was level with Stallings after a brilliant 62, while Nicholas Thompson and Ryan Palmer were a further stroke back. Jones was the best placed Australian in a tie for 23rd at 19 under after carding a 64 in his final round. Geoff Ogilvy and Aaron Baddeley both finished a shot back in a share of 27th place after shooting a 65 and 68 respectively. Steven Bowditch and Greg Chalmers were the next best in 47th place at 16 under for the tournament.