Los Angeles Times

Now Phoenix is Valley of the Son

Kevin Stadler, son of PGA Tour veteran Craig Stadler, wins Phoenix Open for first title.

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Kevin Stadler won the Phoenix Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title when playing partner Bubba Watson missed a five-footer for par on the final hole.

Stadler, the 33-year-old son of PGA Tour winner Craig Stadler, closed with a three-under-par 68 for a one-stroke victory over Watson and Canadian Graham DeLaet.

Stadler won in his 239th PGA Tour start, earning a spot in the Masters, a tournament his father won in 1982. The Stadlers are the ninth father-son winners in tour history.

Stadler finished at 16-under 268 at TPC Scottsdale, his home course. Raised in Colorado, he played in Denver Broncos colors, wearing an orange shirt and blue pants and hat. Watson shot a 71 and DeLaet had a 65. Watson, the third-round leader, is winless since the 2012 Masters.

Phil Mickelson closed with a 71 to tie for 42nd at three under. He was making his 25th appearance in the event he won in 1996, 2005 and 2013. The event drew an estimated 563,008 spectators, breaking the seven-day record of 538,356 set in 2008. The tournament set records the last five days, drawing a golfrecord 189,722 on Saturday and 60,232 on Sunday.

Stephen Gallacher of Scotland shot a final round 72 to become the first player to successful­ly defend the Dubai Desert Classic title, beating Emiliano Grillo of Argentina by one stroke.

Gallacher fought back after four bogeys over his opening eight holes left him in a five-way tie for the lead after 11 holes in the United Arab Emirates.

He won the 25-year-old tournament with an overall 16-under 272 for only his third victory in 18 years and 431 events on the European Tour.

Grillo secured his best tour finish with an overall 15-under 273 when he eagled the last hole for a round of 66.

Frenchman Romain Wattel also shot a 66, including birdies on the last two holes, to finish tied in third at 14-under 274 with Brooks Koepka (70) of the United States.

Rory McIlroy struggled with a 74 to finish tied for ninth, and top-ranked Tiger Woods (71) birdied his closing three holes for a share of 41st with a six-under 282.

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