• Bob Hope Classic, 5th Round

Haas follows in father's footsteps with Bob Hope win

ESPN staff
January 25, 2010
Bill Haas was excellent from tee to green on the final day of the Bob Hope Classic © Getty Images
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Bill Haas birdied the 18th hole to claim a one-stroke victory in the Bob Hope Classic. The 28-year-old's father Jay flew in on the morning of the final round to watch his son join him on the list of winners on the PGA Tour. Haas snr won the Bob Hope Classic in 1988 and they are only the fifth father and son to win the same tournament.

It was a superb effort from Haas who made a lightning start with five birdies on the front nine. A two at 17 gave him a share of the lead and he was rewarded for taking on the flag at the par five 18th by finding the green and making a birdie for a one-shot win from Tim Clark, Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson.

"It feels unbelievable," a clearly emotional Haas said moments after his victory. "I was so nervous coming down the stretch. I still don't know how I hit the shot on 18, my hands were shaking. I told my caddie that I was nervous as hell and he said that was a good thing. It feels awesome.

"I have been known to three putt a few holes so I was happy to just nudge the putt down and get it close.

"To start out the year this way after playing terribly last week is great."

Kuchar made a lightning-fast start to his round by making birdies at the first two holes. The blitz continued as he went to the turn in 30 shots and promptly birdied 10 and 11. Kuchar's putter went cold at the start of the back nine but a 15-foot birdie at 17 handed him a share of the lead. He went for the green on 18 but his approach was almost 100 feet away and three putts proved costly.

Clark made a superb birdie putt on 14 and a brave approach at 15 was rewarded with another birdie. A poor putt at 16 did not knock Clark's confidence as he made an excellent stroke on 17 to move into a share of the lead. Clark shocked the gallery on 18 by opting to lay up on the par five and he was left to rue the decision as a 12-foot birdie putt missed on the high side.

Watson's wait for a maiden tour win continues and he may well rue the decision to lay up on the par five 14th. The longest hitter in the event opted to play safe and could only claim a par when a birdie would have earned him a play-off.

Bubba Watson is a long hitter but opted to play safe and it proved costly © Getty Images
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Mike Weir entered the final day three shots off the lead and with high hopes of making a challenge. He started superbly with three birdies and an eagle in the opening six holes. He chipped in for his eagle on six, but his momentum was checked by a double bogey at the 13th after finding the water and he was unable to get back into contention.

Defending champion Pat Perez saved his best for last as he drained nine birdies in a round of 66 but it was only good enough for a share of 26th place, while Joe Ogilvie's challenge fizzled out thanks to a 74.

Kevin Streelman posted rounds of 63 and 64 on Saturday and Sunday to fire himself into contention, but his charge on the final day did not get off the ground. A bogey at the first set him back and although he eagled the sixth to briefly put himself back into contention, he could not get his putter going and slipped back to 22-under-par.

Sweden's Richard Johnson was the highest-placed European on 20-under-par, one shot behind Australian veteran Steve Elkington.

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