• Waste Management Phoenix Open, Round Four

Stanley erases California ghosts to win maiden title

Kyle Stanley tossed away victory at the Farmers Insurance Open last week, but made amends in Arizona © PA Photos

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Kyle Stanley exorcised the ghosts of last week's Farmers Insurance Open collapse by capitalising on Spencer Levin's own misery to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Sunday.

Only seven days ago Stanley led in California by seven strokes, yet managed to drop five shots on the back nine to head into a play-off. From there, he lost out to Brandt Snedeker - his hopes of a maiden PGA Tour title disappearing in agonising circumstances.

This time it was Levin - another looking for a first Tour win - who had all the ace cards, leading by six going into the fourth round in Arizona. However, his lead was erased with six holes to play, and this time Stanley got over the line by one stroke thanks to a fantastic six-under-par 65.

"That's the ups and downs of golf, you can't afford to get too high and you can't afford to get too low," Stanley commented on Sky Sports.

Four bogeys in his first 12 holes saw Levin wobble, the American falling back into the pack as he posted an eventual four-over-par 75 for third place. By contrast Stanley was flawless through 13, hitting five birdies, and a pivotal double-bogey seven for Levin at the 15th proved the telling moment as Stanley triumphed with a 15-under overall score.

Ben Crane and John Huh both gave admirable chase, as did DJ Trahan and Jason Dufner, with Crane eventually taking second place. The 35-year-old closed within a shot of Stanley going into the final hole, but he could only find par - matched by the eventual winner.

Elsewhere, Ian Poulter's unspectacular week ended in fitting fashion as he posted an uneventful 70 to finish on three-under. Poulter's iron play had been decidedly average throughout the four days, and little changed during his final round as he settled for a place outside the top 40.

Phil Mickelson was another disappointment in Arizona, never featuring among the leaders as he settled for an overall score of six-under. A double-bogey at the eighth was symptomatic of a poor final round, which saw the American card a two-over 73.

Mickelson finished level with compatriot Rickie Fowler, who enjoyed a rather more satisfying outing, signing for a two-under 69. Fowler's round was one of the most eye-catching of the day, mixing an eagle at the third with double-bogeys at five and 14, all the while picking up birdies in between to finish on six-under.

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