THE portly Carl Petterson had a five shot victory over Zach Johnson at the US PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage in South Carolina today.
Petterson closed with a 2-under 69 to take his fifth tour victory and score a point for all those who believe physical fitness has no place in golf.
The 34 year old did slim down and lose 30 pounds at one stage in his career but he also lost his golf swing.
Petterson, now a US citizen, claimed his current fitness secret was to “drink 10 beers and eat a tub of ice cream” before you go to bed.
”Ultimately, just because you don’t look like an athlete doesn’t mean you’re not an athlete,” Pettersson said. ”We’re not running a marathon out here, we’re walking 18 holes.”
The former Swede had a great week at the Harbour Town Golf Links o Hilton Head Island, finishing at 14 under to win his first PGA Tour title since 2010 and tie countryman Jesper Parnevik for most ever on tour by a Swedish player.
”It was great,” said Pettersson, ”I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself, so I kind of downplayed the whole thing. But getting off to a birdie on one was great.”
Pettersson, second in the Houston Open two weeks ago, earned US $1,026,000.
Donald slips behind McIlroy
England’s Luke Donald needed to finish eighth or better to retain his world No.1 ranking but continued his poor run or late to finish tied for 37th.
That means McIlroy back on top of the rankings, at least for the time being.
McIlroy isn’t expected to play again till the US PGA Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the first week of May, when the young Northern Irishman will also celebrate his 23rd birthday.
Greg Chalmers was the best of the Australians at Hilton Head with a final round 70 seeing him finish at 1-under tied for 20th. Geoff Ogilvy also closed with a 70 to finish at 1-over tied for 29th.
RBC Heritage Final Leaderboard