Lahiri finishes 44th at Puerto Rico Open

Rio Grander (Puerto Rico), February 24

Anirban Lahiri could not build on a positive start in the final round of the Puerto Rico Open as the Indian golfer finished tied-44th, with an 8-under 280, here.

At 3-under through five holes, it was the kind of a start that produces low scores. Yet, as so often in recent times, he let that slip by and ended with a 2-under 70 for the fourth successive time. Two double-bogeys, once on the second day and once on the final day, spoiled his card. He had 20 birdies but gave away two doubles and eight bogeys.

Arjun Atwal shot a 69 in the final round to finish 7-under 281 and tied-50th, while Daniel Chopra (76) was tied-69th.

Norwegian Viktor Hovland, playing only in his 17th event on the PGA Tour, won the title for his first PGA Tour trophy. He made a chip-in for eagle on the par-5 15th and made a 30-footer for birdie on the par-5 18th for a one-stroke victory over Josh Teater. No winner of the Puerto Rico Open has won another PGA Tour title, but Hovland exudes the kind of quality that can buck this trend. Hovland recovered from a triple-bogey on the par-3 11th with the late revival at windy Coco Beach. He shot a 2-under 70 to finish at 20-under 268.

Reed comes through

Mexico City: Patrick Reed came through in the clutch, firing three late birdies in a 4-under 67 for a one-shot victory over Bryson DeChambeau in the WGC Mexico Championship. — Agencies