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SPORTS Monday 13 March 2017

Adam Hadwin hangs on at Innisbrook, earns Masters spot

DOUG FERGUSON But it all changed on the him," Cantlay said. "And I
AP Golf Writer 16th, the start of a tough caught him, and gave it to
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — three-hole finish at the him in the end."
Adam Hadwin is skipping Copperhead Course. Hadwin is the third Cana-
his first World Golf Cham- His 3-wood peeled off to dian to qualify for the Mas-
pionship and asking for a the right and never had ters, joining RSM Classic
refund for his honeymoon a chance, and Hadwin winner Mackenzie Hughes
to Tahiti. walked off the hole with a and 2003 champion Mike
He couldn't be happier. double bogey and a tie for Weir.
Seven weeks after he shot the lead He finished at 14-under
a 59, and two weeks be- From the 18th fairway, 270.
fore his wedding, Hadwin Cantlay blinked first. Jim Herman (68) and PGA
added another eventful The former No. 1 amateur Tour rookie Dominic Boz-
chapter to his amazing in the world, playing for zelli (67) tied for third, two
year. only the second time after strokes behind Hadwin.
He threw away a two-shot missing two years with a Tony Finau closed with a
lead with three holes to back injury, leaked his ap- 64 to finish alone in fifth,
play by hitting a tee shot proach into a bunker. Had- though that likely will nar- Adam Hadwin reacts after sinking the final putt to win the Val-
spar Championship golf tournament Sunday, March 12, 2017, at
into the water, kept his wits win's approach went just rowly keep him out of the Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Fla.
and then closed with two over the back against the Dell Match Play in two Associated Press
strong pars for an even- collar of the fringe, leaving weeks. Finau only moves
par 71 to win the Valspar him a belly wedge down to No. 70 in the world, and tie for 11th and qualify for because that's when the
Championship by one shot the grain that came off as many as five players are Match Play. venue was available. Had-
over Patrick Cantlay for his perfectly and settled 2 feet likely to withdraw. Hadwin's fiancee, Jessica win checked the schedule
first PGA Tour title Sunday. below the cup. Jason Dufner birdied his Kippenberger, made the and figured it worked out
"You're never quite sure Cantlay's bunker shot was last two holes for a 67 to wedding date for March 24 beautifully.q
when you're going to get well short, and he missed
the job done," Hadwin said. the 15-foot par putt to
"I just went there today and force a playoff.
stuck to what I do best, just He was 1 of 6 in sand saves
hit some quality golf shots for the week.
and really made the game The consolation prize for
super easy outside of hole
No. 16. I feel a little fortu- Cantlay was a runner-up
nate after that hole to be finish that paid $680,400,
sitting here, but I'll certainly more than enough for him
take it, and I can't wait for to secure full status for the
everything that comes with rest of the year.
this win." "It doesn't really feel like
The victory moves him to much consolation at the
No. 51 in the world and moment," Cantlay said. "I
makes him eligible for the didn't finish the deal."
Dell Match Play — except Even in loss, it was a bright
that he's getting married return for the UCLA star.
that week. Cantlay wondered if his
It also sends the 29-year- back would ever allow him
old Canadian to the Mas- to regain his form. While still
ters, meaning he will have in college, he shot 60 at
to postpone that honey- the Travelers Champion-
moon to French Polynesia. ship in 2011, was low ama-
Instead, he'll be prepar- teur in the U.S. Open and
ing for Augusta National, didn't finish out of the top
the place he called the 25 in his four PGA Tour starts
"greenest place on earth." that summer.
Even with a four-shot lead A stress fracture in his back
going into the final round, kept him out of golf for two
all he wanted was a years. Then, he endured a
chance over the final few far greater burden a year
holes. ago February when his
The trick Sunday was re- best friend and caddie,
minding himself he was Chris Roth, was struck and
right where he wanted to killed by a car as they were
be. walking to a restaurant for
Hadwin twice holed dinner in California.
big birdie putts on the He looked like he was
back nine at Innisbrook never gone. Trailing by
as Cantlay was in close four shots with 10 holes to
for birdies of his own, a play, he ran off five bird-
25-footer on the par-5 11th ies in a six-hole stretch that
and then a 55-footer on put enormous pressure on
the par-3 13th to keep a Hadwin.
two-shot lead. "I was just trying to catch