Patrick Reed wins Humana Challenge

Patrick Reed of the USA held off the challenge of his countryman Ryan Palmer to win the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation at La Quinta in California.

Reed fired three consecutive 63s to take a seven stroke lead into the final round and, although he wasn't able to find that sort of form on Sunday, his closing round of 71 was sufficient to finish two ahead of Palmer.

The 23-year-old had been red-hot with the putter through the first three days and he re-found that form towards the end of the game on Sunday, just when he needed it. Having dropped a number of shots with missed putts in his opening 12 holes, he made a clutch par save at the 13th, then rolled an 18-footer home for a birdie on the 15th.

"For a while there it just seemed nothing would go in," he said. "So to make that putt (the par save on the 13th) was key. I knew if I didn't, things were going to get interesting.

It was a second PGA Tour title for the young American. He also won the Wyndham Championship last August. With the victory, he has moved into the top-50 on the Official World Golf Ranking and secured a place at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.

"I always play to try to prove to everybody that I belong out here," he said. "As well as, I belong, not only out here on the PGA TOUR, but also with the best players in the world."

Ryan Palmer made an eagle at the home hole to close with a 63 and finish alone in second place. He was delighted with his performance.

"What can you do with what Patrick did this week?" Palmer said. "It's ridiculous what he did. Amazing how good he played. We'll come up a couple short, but it was a win in my game because I was playing for second today."

Zach Johnson closed out with five straight birdies to shoot a, best of the week, 62 and finish tied for third with Justin Leonard.

Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation PGA West (Palmer,) La Quinta, California Jan 16-19, purse $5,700,000, par 72

1   Patrick Reed (USA)   63   63   63   71   260   $1,026,000 2   Ryan Palmer (USA)   64   65   70   63   262   $615,600 T3   Zach Johnson (USA)   65   68   68   62   263   $330,600 T3   Justin Leonard (USA)   66   67   65   65   263   $330,600 5   Brian Stuard (USA)   67   66   66   65   264   $228,000 T6   Bill Haas (USA)      65   66   67   67   265   $198,075 T6   Brendon Todd (USA)   65   63   68   69   265   $198,075 8   Chad Collins (USA)   68   68   65   65   266   $176,700 T9   Stuart Appleby (Aus)   66   69   67   65   267   $148,200 T9   Charlie Beljan (USA)   68   64   68   67   267   $148,200 T9   Ben Crane (USA)      70   64   65   68   267   $148,200 T9   Charley Hoffman (USA)   64   66   66   71   267   $148,200

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Where next? European Tour - Pablo Larrazabal wins Abu Dhabi Championship