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Monday, January 23, 2017

Swafford Earns First PGA Tour Win

Hudson Swafford poses with the trophy and his wife Katherine
after winning the CareerBuilder Challenge on the Stadium Course
at PGA West, in La Quinta, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Hudson Swafford won the fittingly named CareerBuilder Challenge on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, following three straight birdies with a closing par for a one-stroke victory.

Swafford shot a 5-under 67 on the Stadium Course at PGA West to finish the pro-am event at 20-under 268. The 29-year-old former Georgia player earned $1,044,000 and his first spot in the Masters.

"They don't give them away out here. It's not easy," Swafford said. "I've been close. I've been in the heat lately. Just keep putting myself in position, and this just feels unbelievable."

Adam Hadwin came back with a 70 after his third-round 59 to finish second. Brian Harman, another former Georiga standout, and Bud Cauley each shot 69 to tie for third at 18 under.

Swafford tied Cauley for the lead with a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th, then pulled away on the 16th and 17th — a day after he dropped three strokes on the holes.

"Stepped up there and hit some really good shots on those two holes, knowing what happened yesterday," Swafford said. "I was just really confident on those two holes today. I knew the bad stuff on those holes were gone. I had already seen it, it had already happened, and just visualizing really good shots."

• Swafford, Harman and Harris English will be in action this week in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

• Slots are still available for the Coach Chris Haack Golf Camp, which will be held June 4-7 and June 8-11 for both boys and girls ages 10-18.

• The Bulldogs will return to action Feb. 19-21 in the Puerto Rico Classic. Georgia will be hosting the Southern Intercollegiate at Athens Country Club on March 13.

• Congratulations to Jeff Knox, who was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame last weekend.