Mark Wilson wins Humana ChallengeA rare wind delay couldn’t blow Mark Wilson off course. The veteran pro won the Humana Challenge with a steady 69 on Sunday, holding off Robert Garrigus for his fifth career victory.

Wilson led at the halfway mark on the strength of a 66-62 start. He held a three-shot lead on finishing a third-round 67 Sunday morning after winds of 35 mph rendered La Quinta Country Club – one of three courses used for the tournament – unplayable.

Wilson’s final round began inauspiciously with a 1-over-par front nine. His stumbles brought eight players within two shots of the top, but Wilson righted the ship down the stretch. Birdies on 11, 12 and 16 pushed him one clear of Garrigus, who fell back with a bogey on 17, heading to the par-5 18th.

Garrigus had a 35-foot eagle putt to take the lead, but singed the hole instead. Needing two putts to win, Wilson rolled home a 10-footer for birdie and a two-shot margin on 24-under par.

By winning the Humana – formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic – Wilson claimed a $1,008,000 check and continued a trend: All of his victories have come before the middle of March. “The only (explanation) I can think of is the break in November and December,” he said. “I can clear my mind of golf.”

Garrigus was joined by the previous week’s winner, Johnson Wagner, and John Mallinger in a tie for second.

The Tour’s West Coast Swing continues this week with the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.

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