Willie Wood wins Hawaii Championship

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Willie Wood wins Hawaii Championship

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Willie Wood took advantage of Bill Glasson's back-nine collapse to win the Hawaii Championship.

17 September,2012 11:09 am

The 51-year-old Wood birdied the last two holes for a 6-under 66 and won by a stroke when Glasson bogeyed the final hole. Wood played 54 holes without a bogey, finishing at 14-under 202 at Kapolei Golf Course.I had a great back nine, Wood said. I just hung in there and the putts kept continuing to fall, and I got a little bit lucky with the way Bill finished. ... I knew Bill would have to help us out some.Five strokes behind Glasson entering the round, Wood chipped to 5 feet to set up his birdie on the par-5 17th and holed a 20-footer for birdie on the par-4 18th.I know how Bill feels, Wood said We all go through that.Wood also rallied to win the Dicks Sporting Goods Open last month in New York, making a long birdie putt on the final hole of regulation and beating Michael Allen with a par on the first hole of a playoff. That was his first victory since he won the 1996 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic for his lone PGA Tour title.This week feels a little different than the one in New York because Id won and there wasnt nearly the pressure. I felt much more comfortable and it just fell into place.Glasson, winless in 47 starts on the 50-and-over tour, shot a 72. He began the round with a four-stroke lead and increased his advantage to five, but gave it away on the back nine. The seven-time PGA Tour winner had five bogeys and three birdies on the final eight holes.The last six or seven holes were a roller coaster, Glasson said. It got a little but iffy between clubs out there, but you have to give Woody credit.Needing a birdie to win or a par to force a playoff, Glasson hit a sand wedge approach on the 18th that skidded down a bank between the green and a pond. He chipped to 10 feet and missed the putt.I hit that putt at 18 too hard. Couldnt get the speed right, Glasson said. I need to work on some things. If I start missing greens, my short game isnt good enough.Australias Peter Senior birdied the final four holes for a 69 to finish third at 12 under.Charles Schwab Cup points leader Tom Lehman and David Frost tied for fourth at 11 under. Lehman closed with a 67, and Frost shot a 69.Tied with Allen, Fred Couples and Roger Chapman for the tour victory lead, Wood earned $270,000 to jump from 22nd to 14th on the money list with $854,817 in 10 events. The top 30 will qualify for the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Scottsdale, Ariz.I wish we had a tournament next week, Wood said. Im confident now. Its been so much fun playing well.