VIRGINIA WATER (England), May 29: Britain's David Howell increased his lead on Europe's order of merit with a runaway victory in the PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday. He also moved into the world's top 10 when the latest rankings were published on Monday.
The Englishman, previously ranked 17th, went into the final round on Sunday with a three-shot lead and was never threatened as he closed with a three-under-par 69 for a 17-under-par 271 total.
He finished five strokes ahead of Britain's Simon Khan with Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez a further shot back.
Khan, who languished 159th on Europe's money list coming into the event, stepped in to shoot a 68 and claim second place, with Jimenez treading water with a 72.
Howell's $903,000 win, his career fourth and his biggest, is his second of the season, adding to his Champions Tournament success last November when he beat world number one Tiger Woods for the title in China.
Leading final round scores:
271 – David Howell (Britain) 68, 65, 69, 69.
276 – Simon Khan (Britain) 70, 68, 70, 68.
277 – Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 71, 69, 65, 72.
279 – Brett Rumford (Australia) 72, 73, 69, 65.
280 – Richard Bland (Britain) 73, 68, 71, 68.
281 – Andrew Coltart (Britain) 71, 72, 69, 69; Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 72, 70, 68, 71; Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 70, 73, 73, 65; Gary Orr (Britain) 71, 70, 73, 67; Anthony Wall (Britain) 71, 71, 73, 66.
282 – Paul Casey (Britain) 67, 72, 69, 74; Soren Hansen (Denmark) 70, 72, 69, 71; Garry Houston (Britain) 69, 72, 71, 70.
WIN FOR MAGGERT
MEMPHIS (Tennessee): American Jeff Maggert ended a seven-year title drought with a rousing finish and three-shot victory at the St Jude Classic on Sunday.
Boosted by a 36-foot eagle putt at the 16th, Maggert fired a five-under-par 65 for a nine-under total of 271 at the TPC at Southwind.
Three off the pace overnight, the 42-year-old picked up shots at two of the first three holes and put his third PGA Tour victory beyond doubt by rolling in a 33-footer to birdie the par-four 17th.
Leading final round scores:
271 – Jeff Maggert (US) 72, 66, 68, 65.
274 – Tom Pernice Jr (US) 67, 68, 68, 71.
276 – John Cook (US) 69, 69, 67, 71; Kris Cox (US) 74, 67, 63, 72.
277 – Daisuke Maruyama (Japan) 68, 73, 69, 67; Zach Johnson (US) 68, 71, 70, 68; Briny Baird (US) 71, 68, 68, 70; Jay Delsing (US) 70, 69, 66, 72.
278 – John Senden (Australia) 73, 65, 70, 70.
279 – Brent Geiberger (US) 69, 73, 70, 67; Dudley Hart (US) 74, 67, 70, 68; Brett Quigley (US) 69, 71, 71, 68; Tjaart van der Walt (South Africa) 73, 70, 67, 69; David Toms (US) 69, 67, 72, 71; Ryan Palmer (US) 69, 68, 69, 73.
280 – Paul Azinger (US) 67, 72, 72, 69; Fred Funk (US) 68, 75, 68, 69; Brian Gay (US) 69, 67, 72, 72; Nick Price (Zimbabwe) 68, 70, 69, 73; Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 70, 66, 71, 73; Tim Herron (US) 70, 65, 68, 77.
281 – Bob May (US) 69, 71, 74, 67; Chris DiMarco (US) 73, 70, 68, 70; Darron Stiles (US) 69, 64, 77, 71; Richard Johnson (Sweden) 72, 69, 69, 71; Ryuji Imada (Japan) 71, 71, 68, 71; Justin Leonard (US) 72, 69, 67, 73.—Reuters