Walker wins Sony Open in Hawaii in record fashion
Jimmy Walker rallied from a stunning playoff loss on Monday at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions to win the Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday by a record nine shots.
The San Antonio native closed with a 63 to card a 72-hole total of 23-under 257 to beat runner-up Scott Piercy (66) by nine shots. Walker holed 29 birdies this week to shake off his defeat to Patrick Reed at last week’s winners-only tournament. Walker said after the round that he wanted to finish off this victory, something he said he didn’t do last week against Reed. This is the fourth PGA Tour win for Walker and is the first golfer to successfully defend his title here since Ernie Els turned that trick in 2003 and 2004. Harris English (67), Gary Woodland (67) and Matt Kuchar (71) tied for third at 13-under 267. It was the first time in 256 rounds of golf that Kuchar failed to card at least one birdie.