Long Beach State University Athletics
Alum Goydos Wins Sony Open
1/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
| Alum Goydos Scores
Victory with Comeback HONOLULU (AP) -- Long Beach State alum Paul Goydos staged an unlikely rally 11 weeks ago just to keep his PGA Tour card. Sunday was even sweeter, with three birdies in the final four holes at the Sony Open for his first victory in 11 years. Goydos closed with a 3-under 67 and made birdie on the last hole when his 25-foot chip banged into the pin and settled within tap-in range. Charles Howell III and Luke Donald tied for second, a stroke back. "I never felt like I was going to win," said Goydos, who earned $936,000, more than he made all last year. The former 49er led after the second round following a 7-Under-Par 63, and after shooting a Par 70, was two shots behind heading into Sunday's final round, where he shot a 3-Under-Par 67 to win the first PGA Event of the season. It was Goydos second career victory and first since 1996, when he won the Bay Hill Invitational. The tournament belonged to Howell for most of a sunny afternoon at Waialae until a sudden shift on the back nine, when Howell made back-to-back bogeys and Goydos made consecutive birdies. Howell had a chance to force a playoff when his 5-iron from the rough came up 50 feet short of the green. His chip ran 15 feet past the pin, and the birdie putt never had a chance. He shot 70 for his seventh runner-up since his only victory in 2002. |
