Matthieu Pavon held off Nicolai Hojgaard by one shot to win the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego with 13 under overall to win the event; Rory McIlroy is back in action on the PGA Tour at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from this Thursday - live on Sky Sports
Sunday 28 January 2024 07:31, UK
Matthieu Pavon made history by becoming the first French golfer to win on the PGA Tour in the modern era with victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.
Pavon shot three under par 69 to beat Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard by one shot with a dramatic eight-foot birdie on the last hole giving him the win.
With the victory, Pavon became the first Frenchman since World War II to win in a PGA Tour event. The Tour's modern era began in 1968.
Pavon raised his arms in celebration and shouted before hugging his caddie after the putt rolled in as dusk began falling at the municipal course high above the Pacific Ocean. His only birdie on the back nine saved him from a play-off.
Stephan Jaeger, who led after the second and third rounds, was two shots behind Pavon in joint third with Nate Lashley and Jake Knapp.
"I have no words. It is amazing. It feels like there is another round to play tomorrow because we're only Saturday!" said Pavon.
"That is special. I can't thank the PGA Tour enough to give us the opportunity to come from Europe and compete here in America against the best players in the world.
"That's always been the dream for me. I got finally a shot and I took it. I mean, it's a dream come true and it's a little bit hard to believe.
"I had almost no pressure coming, playing in America. It's like it's just an opportunity. If I fail, I could just go back in Europe and I start again.
"So it was just like trying to do your best every day, enjoy every moment because they are special ones, I can tell you there are very special ones and it looked like it worked."
Pavon took the lead on the 12th hole, built the advantage to two strokes and then missed a three-foot putt on the par-4 17th for a bogey that cut his lead to one stroke.
He appeared to be in trouble on the par five, 541-yard 18th when his drive landed in a sand trap, about four inches from the front lip. His second shot went 103 yards into the left rough, which was high because of heavy rain earlier in the week, with 145 yards to the hole. He responded with a brilliant third shot within eight feet.
The 31-year-old, who was born in Toulouse, was playing in just his 11th PGA Tour event. He has one victory on the European Tour.
The PGA Tour stays in California for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the latest of their Signature Events and a limited-field event - being held at Pebble Beach Golf Links - offering a $20m prize purse. Rory McIlroy makes his first PGA Tour start of the year and Justin Rose returns as defending champion after last year's three-shot victory.
Watch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Featured Group coverage live on Thursday from 4.45pm on Sky Sports Golf ahead of full coverage from 8pm. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more on NOW.
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
