LOS ANGELES — Hudson Swafford finally joined the winner’s circle Sunday, firing a five-under-par 67 for a one-stroke victory at the PGA Tour’s CareerBuilder Challenge.
The 29-year-old American birdied three of his last four holes to claim his maiden USPGA Tour win in his 93rd Tour start.”
He compiled a 20-under 268 total to finish one stroke ahead of Canada’s Adam Hadwin, who closed with a 70, one day after storming to a 13-under 59 in the third round at the La Quinta Country Club near Palm Springs, California.
Bud Cauley and Brian Harman both shot 69s and finished in a tie for third at 18-under 270.
Swafford is in his fourth year on the Tour and had never finished higher than a tie for eighth. In five previous starts this season his best finish was a tie for 13th at last week’s Sony Open.
Beginning the day two shots off the lead, Swafford got off to a rocky start with a bogey at the par-four No. 1 before stringing together five straight pars.
Swafford then caught fire with a burst of three straight birdies to close out his front nine.
On the par-four seventh, he hit his approach to five feet from the hole then easily made the short birdie putt.
After making birdie on the par-five eighth, he drained a 14-foot putt for birdie on the par-four ninth.
The win comes with some nice perks, as Swafford is now qualified for the Masters, the Players Championship, the Dean and Deluca Invitational, the Memorial, the PGA Championship and the 2018 SBS Tournament of Champions. — AFP
