Homa Wins in Torrey Pines: American Max Homa emerged victorious in the US Professional Golfers Association Tour Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday at Torrey Pines as he fired a 6-under-par 66 for a two-shot win over Keegan Bradley. Five shots off the lead to start the fourth round, Homa fired seven birdies to cancel out a bogey in the 14th hole for a four-round aggregate of 13-under-par 275. Bradley also shot a 66 to finish second at 11-under 277. Collin Morikawa settled for third with a 278 after carding a 69. It was Homa’s sixth US PGA Tour title and his fourth in come-from-behind fashion. The 32-year-old, World No.16 golfer capped his round with a four-foot birdie putt at 18th hole. Homa’s win was a surprise for online golf betting sites as they were expecting a final-round clash between overnight leader Sam Ryder and World No.3 Jon Rahm.
Homa Wins in Torrey Pines: Ryder, Rahm Crash in Final Round
Homa’s rise to the top was aided by the unfortunate collapses of Ryder and Rahm. Ryder, who is chasing his first PGA title in his 147th start, actually had a good start with a 13-foot birdie at the first hole. However, he carded back-to-back bogeys in the seventh and eighth holes. Despite shooting a birdie at the 10th hole, he lost two shots in the 15th with a double bogey. Ryder made one more bogey at 17th to finish his round at 3-over 75. He finished tied for fourth with Sahith Theegala (70) and Sung-Jae Im (70) on 279. Rahm, on the other hand, ended up a shot further at 280 after carding a 74 in the final round. He was in trouble early with a bogey at the first and a double bogey at fifth. Jason Day was also at 280 after settling for a 68. Hideki Matsuyama (69) and Tony Finau (73) rounded out the Top 10 at 281.
McIlroy Leads by Three in Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy sizzled with a 7-under-par 65 in the third round to take a three-shot lead in the penultimate round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. McIlroy approaches the fourth and final round at 15-under 201, three shots clear of Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury, who carded 67 and 68, respectively. The World No1 leads the tournament despite dumping his shot into the water in the 18th hole. He eventually settled for a bogey and a three-shot advantage. Abu Dhabi winner Victor Perez was tied for fourth at 11-under after a 66 in the third round. Also in that bunch were five LIV Golf players – Patrick Reed (69), Ian Poulter (69), Shaun Norris (67), Adri Arnaus (70) and Richard Bland (71).
The Northern Irishman is guaranteed to retain his position as the world’s top golfer after Jon Rahm failed to finish third or better in the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour. The fourth round will be held on Monday after organizers postponed the opening rounds due to a deluge. McIlroy will be favored by sports oddsmakers to win the Dubai Desert Classic as he is expected to show his world-caliber skills to again shoot in the low 60s and emerge victorious in the 72-hole event sanctioned by the European Tour.
