California’s NEWPORT BEACH –After overcoming a double bogey on the last two holes, Padraig Harrington won the Hoag Classic on Sunday at the windy Newport Beach Country Club to record his sixth PGA Tour Champions title.
After taking a left turn into difficulty and losing two strokes on the par-4 16th, Harrington defeated Thhongchai Jaidee by one stroke with a downhill 15-footer on the par-3 17th and an 8-footer on the par-5 18th.
Harrington finished at 14-under 199 after closing with a 2-under 69. In June, the 52-year-old Irishman will become a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. In addition to the PGA Championship in 2008, he won the British Open in 2007 and 2008.
Jaidee, a Thai player, shot 69 as well. He parred the 18th hole after pitching through the green with a condensed manner
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Playing with Harrington and Jaidee in the final group, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, a Spaniard, bogeyed the 17th hole in a 68 that put him two shots behind.
Following a 67, Stephen Ames finished fourth at 11 under.Steve Stricker (70) was another stroke back, and Jerry Kelly (67) and K.J. Choi (68) were 10 under.