FP – He made hard work of it, but American Jimmy Walker has claimed the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am title, his third win in eight US PGA Tour starts this season.
Holding a six-shot lead overnight, Walker struggled to a final round two-over-par 74 to win by just one shot from two-time tournament champion Dustin Johnson (66) and Jim Renner (67).
Walker, who finished at 11-under 276, had come from behind in his prior two victories this season – the Frys.com Open in October, which was the first event of the US tour’s “wrap-around” 2013-14 season, and the Sony Open in January.
He acknowledged that he felt the pressure of trying to hold on to a big lead, and gave a sigh of relief after he got up and down for par at the par-five 18th to secure the win.
Jordan Spieth carded a 67 and Kevin Na a 68 to share fourth place on eight-under 279.
Scott Gardiner finished strongly with a 68 to be the leading Australian, tied 13th, seven shots behind Walker, with countryman Steve Bowditch (71) a shot further back.