Love conquers all with record

Davis Love III fired a final round nine-under-par 63 to claim an unlikely victory at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California yesterday.

The 36-year-old American started the closing day back in 14th place on the leaderboard, seven shots adrift of pace setters Olin Browne and Phil Mickelson.

But eight birdies, one eagle and just one bogey helped him to surge through the pack in the same manner as Tiger Woods did when winning here last year.

Love tied a Pebble Beach Golf Links record with a 28 on the front nine and finished with an impressive birdie at the par-five 18th for a 16-under 272. Then he watched as the hopes of Phil Mickelson and Fiji's Vijay Singh caromed into the Pacific Ocean.

He entered the clubhouse with a one-shot edge over Masters champion Singh and a two-stroke lead over Mickelson and Craig Barlow and watched the drama unfold from the practice tee.

Mickelson was one-over on the day and three shots off the lead before sinking birdies at the 16th and 17th. But he sent his second shot at the par-five 18th off the rocks and into the ocean to the left of the fairway.

Earlier, Singh was a stroke off the pace when he bounced his tee shot at the par-three 17th off the rocks and into the cove. He had a chance to tie at the 18th but missed an eagle shot from the bunker.

Mickelson failed to hole a desperation fairway shot from some 170 yards at the 18th, giving Love his 14th career title and first since the MCI Classic in April 1998.

Ranked seventh in the world, Love had a series of near misses since his last title, finishing runner-up eight times. He did win the Williams World Challenge, an unofficial event, in December.

Singh finished second, a shot behind Love at 15-under 273, and remained without a win since last year's Masters. He has figured in the top three five times in his last 20 events.

Mickelson and Olin Browne entered the day as co-leaders and ended it tied for third at 275. World number one Tiger Woods tied for 13th on 280. after a final round at even-par.

"Obviously, Phil hitting it in the water is not what we expected, but I had a few good breaks," said Love.

"I still haven't played four solid rounds, but today was just a great round - especially the front nine."

Ireland's Richie Coughlan could not maintain the form of the previous day, when he shot a bogey free 68 to secure his place in the final round.

Yesterday in the final round he reached the turn in one over par 37, after starting on the back nine, but it could have been much worse, as Coughlan made birdies at the 17th and 18th, his eight and ninth holes to turn in 37.

Three bogeys and two birdies on his second nine meant that Coughlan finished with a 74, for a one under-par 287, which although back in the pack was at least his second paycheque of the season in his quest for continued presence on the PGA Tour.