Canadian Mike Weir did what his playing partners could not on Sunday, staying out of the water and off the rocks on his way to the winner's circle at the $4.5 million PGA Bob Hope Classic.
Weir birdied each of the final three holes en route to a five-under-par 67 at the PGA West Arnold Palmer Course, where Jay Haas and Tim Herron each led in the last threesome of the day before collapsing.
"To finish like that, with three birdies, to win a tournament, it's pretty special, really special," Weir said.
Unable to place better than ninth since his victory at the season-ending Tour Championship in 2001, Weir pocketed the $810,000 top prize after finishing the 90-hole event at 30-under 330.
It was the fourth career title for Weir, a left-hander who had no top-10 finishes in 25 starts last season. He began 2003 with a tie for ninth at Phoenix.
Bidding to become the fifth-oldest winner in PGA Tour history, Haas (49), of the US, had a share of the lead standing over his second shot at the par-five 18th. But he found the water and finished second, two strokes back at 28-under 332.
"I just caught it a little heavy," said Haas, who led after four rounds last year before falling apart. "Let's don't talk about that. It wasn't good."
Herron also had part of the lead when he blasted from a fairway bunker at the 16th hole and lodged his ball under a boulder on a mountain behind the green.
Herron still took home $261,000 for sharing third with fellow American Chris DiMarco at 26-under 334. David Gossett rounded out the top five at 335.
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