Zach Johnson won the Colonial for his first victory since also winning at Hogan’s Alley two years ago, pulling ahead Sunday when Jason Dufner finally faltered in Fort Worth.
Johnson was assessed a two-stroke penalty for failing to replace his ball to its original position after marking it on the 18th hole. That left him with a 2-over-par 72 and a one-stroke victory.
“I’m going to focus on the positives, because I hit a really solid putt and it’s a good thing I made it,’’ Johnson said. “No harm, no foul. It was my fault.’’
Johnson moved his original ball mark out of the line of Dufner’s putt on the 18th green. But he forgot to move it back before his final 5-foot putt.
Even with the penalty assessed before signing his scorecard, Johnson’s 12-under 268 total was enough to edge Dufner, who closed with a 74.
Tommy Gainey was a distant third at 7 under after a 67, a stroke better than Jim Furyk.
In what was essentially a match-play final round for the winner’s plaid jacket, Johnson took command at the 414-yard 15th hole. Dufner’s approach hit the left side of that green then rolled into a ditch, leading to a triple bogey that put him four strokes back after Johnson’s par.
It was the eighth PGA Tour victory for Johnson, who won $1,152,000. The 2007 Masters champion’s record of 15 consecutive under-par rounds at Colonial ended.
European - At Virginia Water, England, Luke Donald replaced Rory McIlroy at No. 1 in the rankings for the third time in 10 weeks, successfully defending his title in the BMW PGA Championship.
Displaying his trademark consistency with his driver and putter, Donald won the biggest event on the European Tour by four strokes. The Englishman shot a 4-under 68 at Wentworth on Sunday for his fourth straight round under 70, leaving him at 15 under.
It was Donald’s second victory of the year, following one at the Transitions Championship in March on the PGA Tour. Last year at Wentworth, he took the top spot in the world from Lee Westwood when he beat Westwood in a playoff.
“There’s something sweet about going 12 months and still being No. 1,’’ Donald said. “It’s an indication that I’m doing the right things.’’
Donald held a two-shot lead over Justin Rose when he began his final round in sunny conditions and said he felt tense in the opening stretch of holes, culminating in a bogey 6 on the long fourth hole. A birdie for Rose at the same hole drew the players even at 10 under. With Peter Lawrie and Paul Lawrie within two shots at that stage, a tight finish seemed likely.
Donald made sure that didn’t happen. He rediscovered his putting touch to birdie four of the next seven holes, including a 30-footer on No. 10 that drew cries of “Luuuuke!’’ from the gallery and left Rose three shots behind.
Rose missed a short birdie putt at the last hole to finish with a 70 and tied for second with Paul Lawrie (66).
Champions - Roger Chapman won the Senior PGA Championship, holding on for a two-stroke victory after leading comfortably throughout the final round in Benton Harbor, Mich.
Chapman led by five after 54 holes and was never really threatened. His closing 1-over 72 was his worst score of the tournament - but it was enough to give the Englishman a win at the major championship.
Chapman, who had never won on the Champions Tour, finished at 13 under. He bogeyed three of the last five holes.
John Cook was at 11 under after a 69. Hale Irwin shot 68 to finish another stroke back.
Kenny Perry had a tournament-record 62 at Harbor Shores to finish five shots back.