Wilson survives long Sunday at Sony
BY Bruce Young | 2011 The Sony Open | Wrap | 17 Jan 2011
Mark Wilson has survived an extended Sunday to win his third PGA Tour event with a two shot victory over Tim Clark and Steve Marino at the Sony Open in Honolulu.
Wilson birdied the final hole to edge two clear of Tim Clark and Steve Marino with Clark having finished his round almost an hour ahead of the final group and on the other side of the golf course.
Weather disruptions early in the week would mean that 36 holes were required to be played on Sunday, the field reduced to just 56 players for the final day battle.
After completing a third round of 65, Wilson carried a one shot lead over Steve Marino into the final round and a solid outward nine of 34 had him with a comfortable lead as he headed for home.
Tim Clark emerged from the pack with his morning round of 66 and a final round of 64 and waited in the clubhouse and on the driving range while Wilson and Steve Marino, who were playing together in the final group, battled for the title. Clark had required a strong finish to his second round on Saturday just to ensure he made it to the Sunday shootout and stormed home from there.
Wilson was mistake free over the closing stages however and when he finished with a birdie at the last he had added this title to the 2007 Honda Classic and the 2009 Mayakoba Classic, both also played on Bermuda greens.
Jimmy Walker finished alone in fourth position.
The best of the Australians was Stuart Appleby who led at various stages of the tournament and was still in contention heading into the final round but who faltered with a final round of 72. He finished 13th while John Senden and Jason Day were one shot further back in a share of 20th.
Marc Leishman was 27th, Steve Bowditch, Aaron Baddeley and Jarrod Lyle 34th and Michael Sim 53rd.
The PGA Tour now moves east to the mainland and the 90 hole Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta in California starting on Wednesday.
