Tiger-baiter Sabbatini wins Honda

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- South African Rory Sabbatini weathered the weather and shot an even-par 70 Sunday for a one-stroke win at the Honda Classic on the PGA National course.

His once commanding five-stroke lead shrank to one in the space of seven holes as he twice drove into the rough, and a halt in play because of lightning delayed his march toward victory. But Sabbatini managed to hold off second-place Y. E. Yang for his sixth PGA Tour win.

"Luckily, I had enough of a cushion that I didn't get too concerned," Sabbatini said. "I knew going into today that if I shot even par it was going to be tough to catch."

He sealed the title with a 2-foot par putt on No. 18 for a 72-hole total of 9-under 271. The resident of Fort Worth, Texas, earned his first tour victory since the 2009 Byron Nelson. Yang, Honda's 2009 winner, closed with a birdie for a 66 to finish 8 under. Jerry Kelly shot a 67 and took third at 7 under.

"Rory did what he had to do to hold us off," Kelly said, "and we just didn't hit it good enough to make enough birdies."

Lee Westwood shot 70-284 and tied for 29th, meaning Martin Kaymer will remain ranked No. 1. Westwood fell to No. 2 on Feb. 28 and needed a top-3 finish to regain the top spot.

Sabbatini is known for his outspoken nature and occasional digs at Tiger Woods, who skipped the event. "I'm a passionate golfer," he said. "I love the game of golf, and I've had my moments. I'm not proud of everything I've done out here, but I'm trying to learn. I'm trying to be a role model for my children, and I know as my wife has said to me, I wouldn't want my son doing some of the things that I've done in the past."