Davis Love springs surprise to triumph on US PGA Tour at 51 as Tiger Woods’s challenge fades away

The 51-year-old finished on 17 under par – one shot clear of fellow American Jason Gore – to win the event for the third time as Tiger Woods’s challenge fell away after a triple-bogey seven at the 11th hole.

The former world No 1 also bogeyed the next but recovered with four birdies to card a level-par round of 70 and finished four shots adrift of Love on 13 under.

Love, however, did not make the best of starts as he bogeyed the opening hole but responded to that disappointment with birdies at the next three holes.

He then sunk an eagle three at the par-5 fifth before following up with yet another birdie.

He dropped his second shot of the day at the seventh to turn in 31 and an eagle at the 15th was enough to keep him out in front.

Woods, who failed to qualify for the FedExCup play-offs with his tied for 10th-place finish, made a solid start, turning in a level-par 35 after one bogey and a birdie.

But calamity then struck with that triple bogey at 11 and another dropped shot at the next and, although he turned things around, the damage had already been done.

Overnight leader Gore birdied the fourth before dropped shots at the 13th and 14th appeared to end his bid for victory but an eagle at the 15th gave him hope.

He had a long putt for birdie on the 18th to force a play-off but could not convert the opportunity and Davis held on for victory.

“It was a grind today,” said Woods. “Like [Saturday], I kept leaving myself above the hole, seemed like on every hole.

“I had to putt so defensively because of it ... I just didn’t put myself in the right spots.

“It’s not a golf course in which you can sit and make a bunch of pars and expect to win.

“You’ve got to go and get it.”