Vijay Singh completed a memorable 2008 by claiming the Chevron World Challenge by one shot from American Steve Stricker.
Birdies on four of the last eight holes gave the big Fijian a closing 68 and 11 under par total.
That was enough to secure victory as overnight leader Anthony Kim fell away with a 73, while Jim Furyk uncharacteristically crumbled as he dropped four shots in the final three holes to end up fifth.
Singh’s win caps a fine year in which the 45-year-old swept up at the FedEx Cup play-offs, and suggests the veteran can add to his three Majors in 2009.
"It was very unexpected," admitted Singh. "I just hung in there. I thought Jimmy Furyk was playing so well and Anthony, so I just had to keep pace.
"My thought was if I shot a 67 or 68 I may have a good chance and it ended up being what I needed.
"When I show up and I know I can't win the golf tournament, I'm going to quit. But as long as I show up and know that I can win, I'm going to keep playing.
"I don't know if I can keep doing this for another four, five or six years but I'm going to try."
Kim, Furyk and Singh had traded blows for much of the final round, but Kim double-bogeyed 14 and 15, and Furyk leaked shots at 14, 16, 17 and 18.
Stricker crept into contention, but a vintage six-iron on 18 from Singh set up an eight-footer that the Fijian rolled in for the win.
Meanwhile, Luke Donald, who secured a US Masters spot this week, showed a return to form following injury, with a final-round 66 to finish eighth. Where next? Equipment: Latest first look equipment galleries News: Jack Nicklaus adds weight to golf Olympic bid
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