World Challenge 2012 results: Graeme McDowell ends drought with win

Graeme McDowell picked up his first victory since 2010 on Sunday, winning the World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

McDowell entered the final round in first place, and he tied for the low score of the day with a 4-under 68. He shot minus-17 for the tournament, three strokes better than Keegan Bradley. Bo Van Pelt finished in third place at minus-10, and Jim Furyk, Ricky Fowler and Tiger Woods tied for fourth at minus-9.

Webb Simpson and Steve Stricker finished seventh and eighth, shooting minus-7 and minus-6. Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson tied for ninth at 5-under. Only two players shot even par or worse. Ian Poulter finished 17th and was even for the tournament. After a plus-7 79 on Sunday, former Masters winner Zach Johnson placed 18th at 5-over.

McDowell had been claiming that his game was improving, but without a victory in more than 25 months, his frustration was mounting. McDowell’s win was his first since coming out on top at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters on Oct. 31, 2010.