Stenson blows away Players field with 66

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – Henrik Stenson has won The Players Championship with a flawless final round on the treacherous TPC Sawgrass, playing without a bogey for a 6-under 66 and a four-shot victory.

The 33-year-old Swede started the day five shots behind Alex Cejka, in a six-way tie for second that included Tiger Woods.

But as Cejka collapsed with a 42 on the front nine, Stenson surged ahead and never let off until he tapped in for par for his second PGA Tour victory, and the biggest win of his career.

Stenson finished at 12-under 276 to finish four shots clear of Ryder Cup teammate Ian Poulter. He earned $1.71 million and moved to No. 5 in the world.

Woods played in the final group and was never a factor.

He was part of the six-way tie that included Stenson, and even as Cejka faltered to a 42 on the front nine, Woods couldn’t take advantage. He finished with a 1-over 73 to finish alone in eighth. It was his first top 10 at The Players Championship since he won in 2001, and it kept alive his streak of 16 consecutive stroke-play events in the top 10 worldwide.

It was the second-largest comeback at The Players Championship, and matched the largest rally on the Stadium Course. Justin Leonard also came from five shots behind to win in 1998.

Cejka lost his lead in four holes after going at the flag from a bunker and watched his ball carom off the bulkhead and into the water. He made only one birdie and shot a 79.                     

John Mallinger (70) and Kevin Na (70) tied for third. They were among a dozen players who had hopes of winning on the back nine, one of the most unpredictable stretches in golf. (AP)