Pettersson wins Heritage Classic, Donald loses No.1 ranking
Style in motion: Carl Pettersson wins his fifth PGA title easing away. — Reuters picHILTON HEAD, April 16 — Sweden’s Carl Pettersson won the Heritage Classic at Hilton Head yesterday to claim his fifth career PGA title as Luke Donald gave up his No. 1 ranking to Rory McIlroy.
Pettersson shot a final-round two-under-par 69 to finish the tournament at 14-under, a comfortable five shots clear of his nearest rival, former Masters champion Zach Johnson (70).
Colt Knost’s chances of winning his first PGA Tour title ended when he fired a 74 to finish third, a shot behind American Johnson, while Kevin Stadler (68) and Billy Mayfair (69) tied for fourth at six-under.
Donald needed to finish eighth or better to retain his No. 1 ranking but the Englishman tied for 37th, ensuring Northern Ireland’s McIlroy will leapfrog back to the top.
The outcome was never in doubt after Pettersson birdied three of the first five holes yesterday. It was his first PGA Tour win since the 2010 Canadian Open. With Heritage, Pettersson matches his countryman Jesper Parnevik’s total of PGA Tour titles. — Reuters
