Brad Faxon, one of the best putters on the US Tour, held on to his overnight lead in yesterday's final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii to take his eighth career title. Faxon finished with his fourth eagle three of the week to fire a final round five-under par 65.

His 20-under par total of 260 gave him a four-shot victory margin over 1996 British Open Champion Tom Lehman, with Ernie Els in third place, three shots further back.

For Ireland's Richard Coughlan things got worse as the week progressed, with the Birr man finally handing in a four-over par 74 yesterday, his worst card of the week, to finish on level par 280.

Coughlan had justifiable expectations of a high finish after a storming opening five-under par 65 on Thursday had left him just one shot off the first round lead. However, he struggled with rounds of 71 and 70 over the next two days to lie in 31st place going into Sunday.

Any hope of a finish in the top20 evaporated as Coughlan stumbled to the turn in two-over par 37. He then slipped further down the field with two more dropped shots over his closing nine holes.

Coughlan needs to make a conscious effort to eliminate the loose shots that saw 12 bogeys and two double bogeys go down on his scorecards over the last three days.

Sophie Gustafson claimed her third title in nine months in Florida yesterday, humbling two-time reigning LPGA Tour Player of the Year Karrie Webb at the Memorial of Naples. Gustafson carded a two-under-par 70 to reach 16under 272 at The Club at the Strand, matching Meg Mallon's tournament record, set in 1999.