PHOTOS: Mark Wilson Wins Humana Challenge

Mark Wilson fired a final round 3-under par 69 at the Palmer Private course at PGA West to win the 2012 Humana Challenge by two strokes over Peter Garrigus, Johnson Wagner and John Mallinger.   

Wilson’s win was his fifth on the PGA tour, and his third win in the past 12 months. 

“I was amazed at the start I had," Wilson said about his shaky 1 over par start through nine holes on Sunday. “I didn’t make many 20-footers, then that one on 16 really helped. The desert has always been good to me.”

Wilson had fired a 62 on the Palmer course in Saturday’s second round.

Garrigus, who had battled Wilson throughout the afternoon, missed a 5-foot par putt on 17 to drop a shot back. Wilson then tapped in his 2 foot birdie putt to take the lead for good.  Wilson had 4 birdies on the day, all coming on the final nine holes. 

Garrigus then missed an eagle putt on 18 by fractions of an inch, which would have forced a playoff with Wilson. 

Darkness and dropping temperatures played a part in the finish, with many unable to follow the action with the naked eye. 

“That 18th hole, that was like going to night school,” quipped Golf Channel commentator David Feherty. 

Wilson receives $1.008 million first prize along with the Bob Hope Memorial Trophy for winning the Humana Challenge.