Gary Woodland celebrates with the Thunderbirds after winning at TPC Scottsdale

Scottsdale, Arizona - It had been five years since Gary Woodland's last victory,

and much has happened since then. The least of which was anything in his

golf career. Last spring, Woodland and his wife Gabby - who was pregnant with

twins, lost one of the unborn babies. Woodland withdrew from the WGC Dell

Match Play and released a statement with the news. Now ten months later,

Gabby and their son Jaxson were on hand to surprise Daddy after he fired a

final round 64 and defeated Chez Reavie (66) on the first hole of sudden death.

The victory was Woodland's first since the 2013 Barracuda Championship. Looking

back on last year, Woodland said,"It really took about four months, but I found

a way to get to the Tour Championship, kind of battled through the end of the

year and couldn't wait for 2018 to start. For Jaxson to be here, it's obviously a

miracle, but I'm just so excited to share this with him and family, and hopefully

it's the start of something special." After he tapped in for the win, Woodland

pointed to the sky thinking of the baby girl that he and Gabby had lost with

tears in his eyes, "Just wanted her to know that I still love her."

Reavie, who made birdie on the 17th and 18th to reach the playoff, missed the

green from 145 yards (with pitching wedge) on the first extra hole (the 18th)

and failed to get his chip up and down. For the local guy who was a standard

bearer at the WMPO while in high school, it was a thrill just to have a chance

to win his hometown event "That was the dream man," Reavie said. With the

runner-up finish, Reavie moves up to 13th in the Fedex Cup standings.

Phil Mickelson heated up on the back nine Sunday making birdie on holes 15 thru

17 to ignite the crowd, but a double at the last ended any chance for the ASU

legend (who finished four back at -14).

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Jason Day celebrates after winning the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines

San Diego - Alex Noren came oh so close to notching his first PGA Tour victory,

but after six playoff holes spanning two days, Day finally seized the moment

with his lob wedge to within a foot.

The 30 year old Aussie is motivated to make a run at regaining world No.1 after

notching his 11th PGA Tour title. Rounds of 73-64-71-70 were enough to tie Alex

Noren (73) and Ryan Palmer (72) at 10 under par at the conclusion of regulation.

On the first hole of the playoff, Palmer made par. Birdies by Day and Noren sent

the Texan packing. Day and Noren battled on until darkness and continued the

tilt at 11am eastern time Monday. After Day's stoned wedge and tap in birdie

ended the fight, he raised his arms in victory.

A renewed outlook has taken the place of what Day was feeling last year. Citing

a case of burnout, a series of ailments and family health issues that all contributed

to his fall from the top of the Official World Golf Ranking in '17. Injury to his back

once again flared up this week, having to withdraw from his Wednesday Pro-am

with inflammation of the facet joints. Day persevered, and afterwards he remained

optimistic that he can reach his goals. "I've got to keep trying to build and build

and build and hopefully win the FedEx Cup at the end of the year."

The big story early in the week and into the weekend was the return of Tiger Woods,

who managed a tie for 23rd despite putrid ball striking statistics. This may be a good

sign considering he grinded out scores of 72-71-70-72 with his shortgame and putting.

Tiger's next appearance will be at Riviera for the Genesis Open.

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Jon Rahm celebrates winning the CareerBuilder Challenge at PGA West

La Quinta, California - Jon Rahm started the day two shots off the lead, but

his 67 for a 22 under par total (266) was enough to reach a playoff with

Andrew Landry (68). Landry made an 11ft birdie at the last to force the extra

session, but it was Rahm who prevailed in the four holes of extended play.

In the playoff, Rahm had a clear opportunity on the first to end it, but his

9 footer refused to drop. three holes later, as the sun made it's way on the

horizon, Rahm buried a 12 footer to end it - and get the win.

"I would like to win one on the PGA Tour the old-fasioned way, and not stress

out on the last few holes," Rahm said. To be honest I couldn't have dreamed

of a better way to do it. Tournaments like this build character. I did not want

to come back the next day and play. After Andrew hit his shot, I had a good

angle and a good lie in the rough, so I decided to take dead aim and hope for

the best."

The win vaulted Rahm into 2nd in the Official World Golf Ranking (just ahead

of Jordan Spieth).

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