Stanley rebounds to win Phoenix
02/05/2012 11:19:40 PM
American Kyle Stanley has recovered from his horror final hole at Torrey Pines last week to shoot a six under 65 to win the Phoenix Open in Arizona.
Seven days ago, Stanley shot a triple bogey on the 72nd hole to blow a five-shot lead at the start of the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open, but the 24-year-old bounced back in Phoenix and reeled in Spencer Levin to win on the final day.
Levin led by six strokes heading into the final round at TPC Scottsdale and his failure to win means he takes the unwanted PGA Tour record of the largest lead lost in the final round.
Stanley got off to a good start with birdies on the second and third hole and then had a strong run on the back nine with three birdies in the first five holes.
As Stanley increased the pressure, Levin's round fell apart, with two bogies and a double-bogey on the back nine meaning he finished with a disastrous four over 75 for the day.
Stanley won by a shot from Ben Crane, who also overhauled Levin with a five under round of 66.
Levin finished third on 13 under overall, a shot behind Crane and a shot ahead of DJ Trahan.
Brendan Steele, Kevin Na and Bubba Watson were tied for fifth on 11 under ahead of Bo Van Pelt, John Rollins, Jason Dufner and Webb Simpson, all on 10 under par in a share of eighth.
Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson hit four bogies and a double-bogey in his two over 73 to finish six under for the tournament, while England's Ian Poulter finished on three under.