Sabbatini holds on for Honda victory
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2011 The Honda Classic | Final Round | 07 Mar 2011
South African Rory Sabbatini took a five shot lead into the final round of the Honda Classic at the PGA National’s Champion course in West Palm Beach Gardens in Florida and eventually won, but what had appeared to be a one sided contest would develop into a real battle over the closing stages.
Sabbatini still led by four as he made the turn but former winner Y.E. Yang made a serious run at his second Honda title in his last three attempts. With Yang picking up birdies at the 13th and 15th holes and Sabbatini dropping a shot at the 14th things began to tighten for the 34 year old. At that point the margin was just one but Sabbatini was able to steady the ship with a beautiful approach to the 16th and when he holed from 15 feet for birdie the gap was extended to two.
With a two shot lead playing the final hole, Sabbatini could afford to be conservative, laying up short of the water with his second and pitching to 12 feet. Yang hit a great drive and with the obvious need for an eagle to have any chance he went for it with his second. He found the bunker but was able to get up and down for birdie to get within one.
Afterwards Sabbatini reflected on the demands of the day. “You know, I guess there’s a pretty good reason they call it the Bear Trap because if it doesn’t get you one way, it’s going to get awe another. It definitely caused some stress for me today. But you know, just a fantastic week, and just really thankful to be sitting here right now.”
Sabbatini has not always won everyone’s hearts and after his win he talked about some of those issues. “I’m a passionate golfer, I really am. I love the game of golf and I’ve had my moments. I’m not proud of everything I’ve done out here, but I’m trying to learn. I’m trying to be a role model for my children and I know as my wife has said to me, I wouldn’t want my son doing some of the things that I’ve done in the past.
“So I definitely have to take into account that my son is old enough now that he understands everything that I do, and really try and be a role model for him.”
Outside the top 100 in the world leading into this week’s event, the strength of the field he defeated will ensure a huge jump in the rankings. Three of the leading four world ranked players were at West Palm Beach and Sabbatini might well find himself knocking on the door of a place at Augusta national when the revised rankings are announced later today.
It was Sabbatini’s 6th PGA Tour victory and his first since the HP Byron Nelson in 2009.
It capped off a stellar day for South African golf with Brendan Pappas winning on the Nationwide Tour in Colombia after the event there was reduced to 36 holes.
Jerry Kelly was alone in third position just one shot behind Yang although there were three shots back to the 4th placed Ricky Barnes.
Former winner, Stuart Appleby was the best of the Australians when he finished 10th. Appleby continues to improve from the lows he was experiencing eight months ago and is potentially shaping as our best Aussie hope at Augusta National. Appleby has played Augusta National well in recent starts.
Marc Leishman was 17th, Robert Allenby 21st, Nathan Green 24th, John Senden 36th and Greg Chalmers 43rd.
The PGA Tour stays in Florida for one of the events this week the WGC – Cadillac Championship while for those not eligible they will head to Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Open.
