2014 Sony Open results: Jimmy Walker catches fire to win at Waialae

It looked like we were headed for a playoff on the back nine on Sunday at the Sony Open, with the only question being how many players would make it to extra holes. At one point, five world-class players were tied for the lead at Waialae, but Jimmy Walker, one of the breakout players on Tour last year, ran away with it down the stretch.

Walker was lights out, wiping out the chasers by firing an even 30 on the inward nine. He was bogey-free throughout the round, posting seven red numbers for a 63 to chase down and zoom past the group of 54-hole leaders. Walker had just one birdie when he arrived at the par-5 ninth tee, but he then went unconscious for six birdies in his final 10 holes to get in the clubhouse at 17-under.

The Baylor Bear picked up his first PGA Tour win after years of grinding when he claimed the first event of the new wraparound schedule last fall, the Frys.com Open. Walker has spent years working things out on the Nationwide Tour, but he emerged as one of the more consistent players weekly on the Tour in 2013. He capped it with the win at CordeValle, which earned him his first ever invite to the Masters.

It took Walker 188 starts to earn his first win, but now he has his second in his last five starts. With the new wraparound schedule granting full FedExCup points for the 2014 race, this second win now shoots Walker to the top of the standings. Given his form over the last six months, expect Walker to be a factor throughout the winter and spring.

Chris Kirk, who probably had the best form throughout the four rounds, earned solo second with a birdie on the 18th hole. Kirk also won during the fall schedule, and he did have a chance to chip in for eagle and force a playoff at the 18th but his ball buzzed the right side of the hole. Kirk just couldn’t find the cup with his putter in his final round, but it’s hard to fault him for not winning when Walker caught fire for the 63.

Adam Scott, who also hit a birdie streak for a back nine 30, was the biggest name in the field to finish inside the top 10 at 10-under.

Here are the full results from Oahu:

• Michelle Wie leaves door open to compete with men

• Zach Johnson emerging as golf’s closer | Wins at Kapalua

• LPGA adopts season-long points system with $1 million bonus

• Tiger Woods to make 2014 debut at Torrey Pines

• Counting down the top 25 stories and moments that defined golf in 2013