Farmers Open:Stallings seals victory

Stallings fired a 4-iron that narrowly cleared the water and set up two putts from 40 feet for a birdie. It gave him a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead that turned into a victory when no one could catch him.

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January 27, 2014: When something similar happened an year and a week ago at Humana Challenge, Scott Stallings had hit a 6-iron from 220 yards, forgetting to account for a hanging lie until the ball sailed left and bounded into the water. The final mistake on a day he blew a five-shot lead.

 

However this time, when Stalling was in the 18th fairway at Torrey Pines, 222 yards from the front of the green, needing a birdie to give himself a shot at outright victory Sunday in the Farmers Insurance Open, he didn’t repeat the past mistake. That’s when his caddie told him, “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

 

His experience earned him victory. This is his third professional win on the PGA Tour.

 

Stallings fired a 4-iron that narrowly cleared the water and set up two putts from 40 feet for a birdie. It gave him a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead that turned into a victory when no one could catch him.

 

“I don’t think one would happen without the other,” Stallings said. “I actually thought about 18 at Humana the whole time on 18 today. Not that I was like, `Oh, don’t hit it in the water.’ But it was, `Just make sure you pay attention to everything that’s going on.'”

 

His final birdie capped off a wild day at Torrey Pines, one that didn’t include Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time in two decades. Nine players had a share of the lead at one point. Eight players still had a reasonable chance in the final hour.

 

The 28-year-old American emerged the winner with one big shot, and now he’s a contender for Masters.

 

K.J. Choi had the best score of the week on the South Course with a 66 and was among five players who tied for second.  Graham DeLaet, Jason Day, Pat Perez and Marc Leishman were a shot behind the winner.

 

Marc Leishman of Australia had the last chance to force a playoff, but his drive on the 18th went well right and bounced off the cart path and a fan. He had no chance to even consider going for the green in two. His wedge for an eagle stopped a few feet to the side of the hole, and a tap-in birdie gave him a 71.

 

Stallings finished at 9-under 279.

 

 

 

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