Marc Leishman has surged to a tie for third place as American veteran Matt Kuchar extended his PGA Tour career resurgence with a dominant victory at the Sony Open in Honolulu.
Kuchar, 40, claimed his second win of the season – the ninth of his career – when he overcame a shaky start to post a closing four-under-par 66 and finish at 22-under 258, four shots clear of countryman Andrew Putnam (68).
Victorian World No.18 Leishman started the final day seven shots behind leader Kuchar but posted a flawless six-under 64 on the Waialae Country Club course to be a shot further back.
He tied third with Americans Hudson Swafford (64) and Chez Reavie (67) and Canadian Corey Conners (64).
The winner of the Mayakoba Classic in Mexico in November, World No.32 Kuchar briefly surrendered the lead to Putnam after three bogeys in his first five holes on Sunday.
But he rallied strongly to produce six birdies in the remaining holes, including five on an unblemished back nine, to secure the $US1,152,000 winner's cheque.
RIGHT: Leishman made a final round charge, firing a six-under 64. PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Seeking a fifth PGA Tour title, Leishman, 35, continued his rich vein of form.
His other four events so far this season yielded a win in Malaysia, a tie for 18th in South Korea, a tie for second at the World Cup in Melbourne alongside teammate Cameron Smith and a tied fourth at last week's Tournament of Champions on Maui.
Leishman's prize cheque of $307,200 on Sunday took his season tally to $US1,994,133.
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