PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Rory Sabbatini began the day with a big lead, turned back a challenge on the back nine and shot an even-par 70 Sunday for a one-stroke victory in the Honda Classic.
Sabbatini sank a 2-foot par putt on No. 18 to finish at 9-under 271. He earned his first PGA Tour title since the 2009 Byron Nelson Championship and sixth overall.
Y.E. Yang birdied the final hole for a closing 66 to finish 8-under. Jerry Kelly (67) finished third at 7-under.
Sabbatini started the final round ahead by five shots, and was still in front by five when he finished No. 8. But Yang was within one stroke seven holes later, thanks to birdies on Nos. 13 and 15 and two bogeys by Sabbatini.
The key section was the treacherous Nos. 15-17, the water-laden stretch known as the Bear Trap. But there would be no collapse by the leader.
“Luckily I had enough of a cushion that I didn’t get too concerned,” Sabbatini said. “I knew going into today that if I shot even par, it was going to be tough to catch me.”
