THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Jim Furyk dressed in red and played the part Sunday, holing a clutch par putt and hitting his best shot of the day on the final hole to win the Chevron World Challenge for his first victory in more than two years.
He said the choice of color was a coincidence, not a statement. Even so, it was a fitting conclusion to a week dominated by talk of Tiger Woods.
Woods, the tournament host, wasn’t around to present the trophy to one of his favorite players on the PGA Tour. He withdrew because of unspecified injuries from his Nov. 27 car accident, yet Woods remained part of every conversation because of worldwide publicity over allegations of extramarital affairs.
It was an important event to Furyk and the runner-up, Graeme McDowell, in different ways.
Furyk, who closed with a 5-under-par 67 and finished at 13-under 275, last won an event recognized by the world ranking at the 2007 Canadian Open.
“It’s bothered me,” Furyk said of his drought. “I’d be lying if I said otherwise.”
McDowell, the replacement for Woods, birdied the 18th hole for a 2-under 70 that gave him second place alone, a shot back. That was enough to move him to No. 38 in the world, making him a lock for the Masters next year.
“Timing is everything,” McDowell said. “To get the call-up was good, although I wish it had been different circumstances. Sometimes this game gives you something back when you least expect it.”
Allenby works overtime
SUN CITY, South Africa — Australia’s Robert Allenby won the Nedbank Challenge, beating Sweden’s Henrik Stenson on the third playoff hole.
Allenby closed with a 1-under 71 to match Stenson (69) at 11-under 277.
Scott scores at home
SYDNEY — Adam Scott won the Australian Open for his first pro victory in his home country, shooting an even-par 72 to beat Stuart Appleby (75) by five strokes.
Footnotes.
Troy Merritt had a three-stroke lead over Graham Delaet when fifth-round play in the rain-delayed PGA Tour qualifying tournament in West Palm Beach, Fla., was suspended because of darkness.
• Marianne Skarpnord shot a 2-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead over Nicole Jeray and Amanda Blumenherst after the fourth round of the rain-delayed LPGA Tour qualifying tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla.
