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Goosen Hangs On, Wins Transitions Championship

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TBO.com

Published: March 22, 2009

Updated: 03/22/2009 06:36 pm

PALM HARBOR – Retief Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open champion, responded to major-championship conditions on Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead course to win the PGA Tour's Transitions Championship Sunday.

Goosen shot a final-round 70 to finish 8-under-par, one shot in front of Brett Quigley (68) and Charles Howell III (69).

The victory is the 40-year-old South African's seventh career PGA Tour win, and second at Innisbrook. He won the 2003 event.

On a hard and fast course with slick green and deep rough, Goosen was the most reliable. He was good during the week on 55 of 55 putts inside five feet.

Goosen took the lead at 9 under with an eagle on the par-5 11th hole and held on. He gave back one shot with a bogey at 16, but closed with solid pars to hold on to the lead.

Howell had a share of the lead with Goosen after birdies at 11 and 14, but bogeyed 15 and 16 to drop back. Steve Stricker got to 8 under with two holes to play, but finished bogey-bogey.

Third-round leader Tom Lehman left the chase early on his way to a closing 75.

"I played very solid," Goosen said. "The course was not easy. Obviously the eagle at 11 was key, then I was just able to hold on.'"

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