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Wilson wins in dramatic end to Humana Challenge

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Mark Wilson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the Humana Challenge on Sunday, beating Robert Garrigus, John Mallinger and Johnson Wagner by two strokes in a dramatic dusk finish to the wind-delayed tournament.

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Mark Wilson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the Humana Challenge on Sunday, beating Robert Garrigus, John Mallinger and Johnson Wagner by two strokes in a dramatic dusk finish to the wind-delayed tournament.

Moments after Garrigus barely missed a 35-foot eagle putt that would have given him the lead, Wilson coolly made his birdie try in the disappearing light, calmly celebrating his fifth career PGA Tour victory.

“Robert and I, going back and forth, we really enjoyed that,” Wilson said. “It just came down to 18, and I didn’t want to give him a chance to make that putt to tie me. ... That’s what we play for. You want somebody to win it, not necessarily to lose it.”

Wilson led by three strokes Sunday morning after finishing his third round, which was delayed by ferocious wind Saturday.

Wilson quickly gave away the lead on the low-scoring Palmer Private course, but played bogey-free over the final 15 holes while every other competitor dropped back — including Garrigus, who fell out of the lead when he missed a 5 1/2-foot par putt on the 17th.

Wilson closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 24 under, taking the US$1,008,000 winner’s share of the $5.6 million purse despite the growing dark and cold.

While most everybody else pulled on sweaters for the final holes, the Wisconsin native stayed in his polo shirt out of superstition and familiarity.

“It’s a feel thing,” Wilson said.

“I’ve been playing with short sleeves all day. I didn’t just want to put it on and get a new feeling, because everything was going well.”

After wind gusts topping 56 kilometres per hour caused damage on all three courses and forced an early end to Saturday’s competition, the final round stretched well past sunset in the Coachella Valley.

“We really couldn’t see much,” Garrigus said.

“I could barely pick up the flag on 18. We had a great day, and it got pretty dark. I wish I could have read that putt a little better.”

The first three rounds were dominated by low scores, but Jeff Maggert made the biggest move in the final round, moving up to fifth with a bogey-free 64.

Calgary’s Stephen Ames shot 2-under 70 for the second straight round and finished in a tie for 22nd at 15 under.

Eight players were within two strokes of the lead when the final group neared the turn, but Wilson weathered every challenge with solid shot-making that added to his reputation as a fast starter.

Wilson won twice in the first few weeks of last season, and each of his five career victories have come before mid-March.

“The only thing I can think of is the break in November and December,” Wilson said.

“I clear my mind of golf. I tend to remember the good things I did in the season before, and when I’ve come out the last two years, I’ve really had a clear mind focused on what I’m doing.”