English eases to OHL Classic victory

American Harris English fired a six-under-par 65 on Sunday and pulled away for a four-shot victory in the US PGA Tour's $6 million OHL Classic.

"It was an awesome win," English said

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, November 17, 2013 (AFP) - English finished 72 holes on El Camaleon Golf Course at 21-under-par 263 for his second PGA Tour victory.

The other came at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis in June.

While his victories took place in the same calendar year, they are in different seasons, since this week's tournament was the sixth event in the US tour's new "wrap-around" 2013-14 schedule.

The new-look campaign will resume January 3 with the Tournament of Champions in Maui, Hawaii.

"It was an awesome win," English said. "I was a lot more comfortable out there than I was in Memphis.

"I hit the ball really well all week," he added. "It got a little windy the first couple of days and I struggled a little bit with my driver, but I found it coming down the stretch and hit some good shots."

Brian Stuard carded a final-round 67 and second place in the rain-hit tournament on 17-under 267.

South African Rory Sabbatini posted a 70 to head a group on 268 that also included Jason Bohn and Chris Stroud, who both shot 68.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson had held the lead after completing the third round on Sunday morning.

He closed with a one-over 72 that dropped him into a tie for sixth on 269. He was joined by Charles Howell (69), Justin Hicks (67) and Justin Leonard (67).

The $6 million tournament had been behind schedule since Thursday, when heavy rain saw just 15 players complete the first round.

The soggy course conditions meant players could lift, clean and place their balls in the fairway in the final round.

English, 24, bogeyed the second hole of the fourth round, but responded with birdies at seven of the next 11 to take control.

Karlsson eagled the par-five fifth, and added a birdie at eight, but endured a nightmare stretch of two bogeys and a double-bogey at the 12th, 13th and 14th to see his hopes evaporate.

"I've been struggling a bit with the long driver and over the long shots in general and usually you get found out sooner or later," Karlsson said.

"But I'm happy to have a great taste of being in the last group for 36 holes. I was in it even though I wasn't playing fantastic the last two days."

Leading final scores on Sunday in the US PGA Tour's $6 million OHL Classic (USA unless noted, par-71)

263 - Harris English 68-62-68-65

267 - Brian Stuard 65-70-65-67

268 - Jason Bohn 67-68-65-68, Chris Stroud 66-68-66-68, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 68-65-65-70

269 - Justin Leonard 70-67-65-67, Justin Hicks 69-67-66-67, Charles Howell 67-67-66-69, Robert Karlsson (SWE) 63-67-67-72

271 - Bob Estes 68-69-65-69, Tim Wilkinson (NZL) 70-63-71-67

272 - Will MacKenzie 69-69-69-65, Freddie Jacobson (SWE) 70-69-67-66, Kevin Stadler 67-63-68-74

273 - Peter Malnati 69-69-70-65

274 - Robert Allenby (AUS) 70-68-66-70, Alvaro Quiros (ESP) 67-70-66-71, Brendan Steele 70-66-68-70, Jay McLuen 67-69-69-69, Jeff Maggert 69-66-69-70, Pat Perez 66-68-71-69, Scott Brown 69-66-67-72

275 - John Huh 70-68-71-66, Jeff Overton 68-70-70-67, Wes Roach 67-70-68-70, J.J. Henry 72-65-70-68, Chad Collins 69-67-70-69, Tommy Gainey 71-65-68-71, Josh Teater 68-73-67-67, Ryan Moore 67-67-71-70