Johnson Wagner of the USA produced four solid rounds to win the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club by two shots. It was his third PGA Tour victory.
In an extremely open final day, Wagner was one of six players who either led, or held a share of the lead, during the last round.
Jeff Maggert and Matt Every were tied for the lead after three rounds but both struggled on Sunday. Every eventually carded a battling 72 to end tied for sixth while veteran Maggert dropped away even further with a disappointing 74.
Harrison Frazar took the lead after a birdie at the 10th but he was unable to push on from there, returning pars at the last eight holes, he finished in a tie for second.
Wagner made his move with a birdie of his own at the 10th. It gave him the lead and he didn't relinquish it. He stamped his authority on the tournament with a further birdie at the 15th. He closed out a two-shot victory.
"I was definitely telling people to expect something early this year, which is a nice feeling," Wagner said. "Usually, my confidence is low. I'm kind of shy in a little shell. And for some reason, I just had way more energy and confidence going into this year."
With the victory, Wagner picked up almost $1 million and earned a spot in the field at this year's Masters. Charles Howell III was tied with Wagner coming into the last round and the pair remained locked on the same score until Howell three-putted on the ninth green. He went two behind when Wagner made birdie on the 10th, then three back when his playing partner made a further birdie at the 15th. Howell closed with a birdie to climb back into a tie for second with Harrison Frazar, Carl Pettersson and Sean O'Hair.
O'Hair could have taken second outright on the final green but his long putt for eagle just missed the hole. Pettersson did well to come back after a double-bogey on the 2nd hole.
Sony Open in Hawaii Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii Jan 12-15, purse $5,500,000, par 70 1 Johnson Wagner (USA) 68 66 66 67 267 $990,000 T2 Harrison Frazar (USA) 67 68 67 67 269 $363,000 T2 Charles Howell III (USA) 67 67 66 69 269 $363,000 T2 Sean O'Hair (USA) 67 67 68 67 269 $363,000 T2 Carl Pettersson (Swe) 65 67 70 67 269 $363,000 T6 Matt Every (USA) 66 64 68 72 270 $178,063 T6 Brian Gay (USA) 69 69 65 67 270 $178,063 T6 D.A. Points (USA) 68 69 64 69 270 $178,063 T6 Michael Thompson (USA) 70 65 68 67 270 $178,063
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
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