HONOLULU, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Ryan Palmer birdied the final hole Sunday to defeat Robert Allenby by a shot and win the Sony Open.
It was the third victory on the PGA Tour for Palmer, who joined the circuit in 2004.
Palmer shot a closing-round 66 over the par-70 Waialae Country Club course and got a large break at the par-5 18th when his third shot -- a chip from 50 feet from in front of the green -- hit the flagstick.
If the ball had not hit the stick, it would have scooted several feet past the hole. As it was, Palmer was left with only a 1-foot putt for his birdie.
Allenby, who was paired with Palmer, went to the final hole tied for the lead but hit his second shot over the green. He chipped to within 9 feet, but missed his birdie putt.
Palmer played 72 holes in 15-under 265. Allenby shot a 67 for the third straight day and closed at 266.
Steve Stricker, the No. 3-ranked player in the world, was alone in third at 267 following a 65 Sunday. Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen shot the low round of the tournament, an 8-under 62, to finish fourth at 268.
Charles Howell, Carl Pettersson and Davis Love III tied for fifth at 269.
The tour completed its two-week, season-opening stay in Hawaii and now moves on for a four-week stretch of tournaments in California. The first will be the Bob Hope Classic in the Palm Springs area, a five-day event that begins Wednesday.
