SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Despite squandering a four-stroke lead in a span of three holes, Chris DiMarco ignored a heckler and put together a gritty comeback Sunday to win the Phoenix Open.
DiMarco closed with a 2-under 69 for his third PGA Tour victory in as many seasons, but this one will be remembered as the one he tried to throw away.
He recovered just in time, hitting his tee shot within 18 inches for a birdie on the 16th that allowed him to catch Kenny Perry. He pulled ahead when Perry took bogey on the 332-yard 17th after missing the green in the worst place.
Perry, who earlier missed an 18-inch birdie putt, had a three-putt bogey on the 17th and couldn't recover. He finished with a 70.
DiMarco finished at 267 and earned $720,000, putting him atop the PGA Tour money list.
DiMarco showed his temper during the final round.
Even though his great tee shot on the raucous 16th was a tap-in, DiMarco was unnerved when a rowdy fan shouted, "Noonan!" as he stood over the putt, a famous line from the movie "Caddyshack" when Danny Noonan had to ignore shouts during his winning putt in the caddie tournament.
DiMarco glared at the fan and gave him a thumb, indicating to tournament officials to get him off the TPC of Scottsdale.
Perry and Japan's Kaname Yokoo finished a shot back.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.