Rory McIlroy had to settle for a tie for fifth in a condensed leaderboard at the Genesis Open, as Australian Adam Scott powered to a two-shot victory.
New world number one McIlroy had been chasing a nineteenth win on the PGA Tour, and had a share for the lead heading into the final round alongside Scott and American Matt Kuchar.
However, the Down man shot a two-over-par round of 73 on day four to finish the tournament on eight-under at Riviera Country Club. That round included a disappointing triple-bogey at the fifth hole which saw his challenge fade.
2013 Masters champion Scott turns 40 in July, and he said after his win last night that he is as focused as ever.
“Everyone tells me I'm turning 40 this year, I don't know if they're insinuating that's kind of the beginning of the end.
"There's no doubt, the age of guys peaking is getting younger. There's far fewer dominant players in their 40s today than there was before.
“But I feel lucky, at the moment I'm very healthy as far as a golfing 39-year-old goes. I've got to make the most of that while I'm out here. It's only going to get harder probably. I hope I'm the exception to the rule and kind of play like Vijay (Singh) did in his 40s.
14 wins.
2003 @DellTechChamp
2004 @THEPLAYERSChamp
2004 Booz Allen
2006 @PlayoffFinale
2007 @HouOpenGolf
2008 @ATTByronNelson
2010 @ValeroTXOpen
2011 @WGCFedEx
2013 @TheMasters
2013 @TheNTGolf
2014 @CSChallengeFW
2016 @TheHondaClassic
2016 @WGCMexico
2020 @TheGenesisInv 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0KVvw5HGck— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2020
“I really do believe if I can maintain motivation and focus, the next five years can be my best years on Tour. The big goal is to be a multiple major winner and I think the habit of winning is good for that. They're pretty lofty goals, so this is a good start but it's one week out of the next five years.”
South Korean Sung Kand ended in a three-way tie for second place on nine-under, along with Kuchar and fellow American Scott Brown.
Tournament host Tiger Woods had a disappointing weekend at Pacific Palisades, hitting a 77 on Sunday to end on eleven-over-par. The result was all the more disappointing given the 44-year-old had hit an impressive 69 on the opening day.
82-time Tour winner Woods managed to find some humour in his display when speaking after his final round.
“I did not do much well today. Good news, I hit every ball forward, not backwards, a couple sideways. But overall, I'm done.
"I've been in this position many times, unfortunately. Just keep fighting hole by hole, shot by shot and try to make some birdies, which I did not do.
“It's still disappointing, it's still frustrating, I'm still a little ticked. But I also look at it from a perspective which I didn't do most of my career, that I have a chance to play going down the road. A few years ago that wasn't the case.”
