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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (TICKER) -- Canadian Mike Weir finally broke back into the winner's circle on Sunday.
Weir broke a victory drought of over three years by making a six-foot
putt on 18 for par to win the $5 million Fry's Electronics Open.
It was Weir's first win since the 2004 Nissan Open and the eighth PGA Tour title of his career.
"It's unbelievable, I can't put it into words," Weir said. "It has been
a long time coming, about 3 1/2 years, and I've put a lot of hard work
in.
"It's been a little tough. Definitely been tough not winning. You know,
that's what we're all out here to do, and 3 1/2 years, has been quite a
long time."
The hard work has included a swing change that set Weir back before he
could move forward. Weir was ranked as high eighth in the world in 2004
but started to slip. He was 48th entering this week but figures to move
up after the win.
"Over the last eight or nine months, it has started to feel better all
the time," Weir said of his swing. "The last month or so, it has been
feeling really good and to get a win here is great."
With a 2-under-par 68, Weir finished at 14-under 266, one shot ahead of Australian Mark Hensby.
Hensby led by one after eight but a bogey at nine dropped him into a
tie for the lead. Weir then birdied 10 to grab the lead by a shot and
took the lead for good with a birdie at 15.
"I think the turning point probably in the tournament was 15," Hensby
said. "Mike made birdie there and I actually thought that I hit the
better shot out of the group and I was on the downslope of the bunker
and hit a pretty good shot out, but I had like a 10-footer and I think
that was probably the turning point."
Weir had a one-shot lead as he played 18 but didn't make it easy on
himself. He dumped his approach shot into a greenside bunker and
blasted out to six feet. after Hensby finished up with a par, Weir then
drained his six-footer to seal the victory.
"I hit the ball really solidly today," Weir said. "I think that was the
best I hit it probably all week as far as in the middle of the face.
You know, except for a couple of hiccups, I had those two 3-putts that
kind of hurt in the middle of the round and other than that I played
really well and putted really well."
Hensby was given a slight opening at 17 but failed to take advantage of
it. Weir hit his approach left of the green on a slight hill but Hensby
was no better, flying his shot over the green and both players managed
to save par.
Billy Mayfair, who lives in Scottsdale and went to Arizona State, signed for a 68 to finish third at 10-under.
"I'm real happy with the week. I'm thrilled," Mayfair said. "Birdieing
15, 16 and 17, especially the bomb I made on 17 and to get up-and-down
from that bunker on 18 was a great finish."
Carl Pettersson, who entered Sunday with the lead, and Sean O'Hair both
finished at 9-under. Pettersson stumbled to a 74 while O'Hair shot 69.
Pettersson and O'Hair were both done in by mistakes as none of the
leaders could pull away in the windy conditions on the Raptor Course at
Grayhawk Golf Club.
Pettersson started the final round with a one-stroke lead over Hensby
and Weir but the trio were tied after the second hole. Pettersson
completely fell apart on the back nine with bogeys at the 10th, 11th
and 12th.
O'Hair had a share of the lead after a birdie at No. 16. But a
double-bogey at 17 and a closing bogey left him in a tie for fourth.
"I felt like I played not great, I mean, I just kind of bunted it
around today," O'Hair said. "Unfortunately, I just didn't quite get it
done at the end."
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