PALM BEACH GARDEN, Fla., March 14 (UPI) -- Todd Hamilton, a 38-year-old rookie, birdied the final two holes Sunday to win the Honda Classic and claim his first career PGA Tour victory.
Hamilton played the first 16 holes in 4-over par but made clutch putts of eight and three feet to cap a 2-over 74. He finished the event at 12-under 276 and collected the $900,000 top prize.
It was the first win in 18 PGA Tour starts for Hamilton, who last season led the Japanese Tour with four titles and also has won in Thailand, Singapore and Korea.
A three-time All-American at Oklahoma who nearly quit the game before earning the 1992 Order of Merit on the Asian Tour, Hamilton earned his first PGA Tour card at last year's Qualifying Tournament.
Davis Love, who had erased a six-stroke deficit after 54 holes, finished with a 69, giving him an 11-under 277 total.
