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NAPLES, Fla. - Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter won the Shark Shootout on Sunday, shooting a 13-under 59 in the scramble format to beat Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell by two shots.
Johnson and Poulter took the lead with birdies on their first four holes and had no trouble the rest of the way in finishing at 30-under 186. Clarke and McDowell (59) never came closer than two strokes.
The two teams passed second-round co-leaders Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker (64) and Fred Funk and Kenny Perry (66). Kelly and Stricker, the defending champions, tied for third at 26 under with Chris DiMarco and Anthony Kim (61).
The 12 teams in the tournament hosted by Greg Norman at Tiburón Golf Club played modified alternate shot in the first round and better ball in the second. Johnson and Poulter split $750,000 from the $3 million purse.
Johnson and Poulter, who played for the rival U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams two months ago, made the perfect duo in the three-format tournament.
After a birdie on No. 3, they maintained sole possession of the lead, although Clarke and McDowell gave chase.
"They kind of pushed us around," Poulter said. "You know what, making the birdies they did, it was kind of good for us to see good shot after good shot, and good putts going in. It's a lot easier to hole putts when your playing partners do."
Funk/Perry and Kelly/Stricker started the day in front by a shot, but both teams started slowly. Funk-Perry made a birdie, then eight straight pars. Kelly/Stricker had three birdies on the front.
With Johnson putting first in the scramble format, Poulter took advantage, perhaps nowhere more so than on the par-4 15th. Holding a two-shot lead, Poulter knocked his approach to 7 feet after Clarke had put his close. After Johnson missed his putt, Poulter made his to keep the two-shot advantage.
The two teams parred the par-3 16th, but with the par-5 17th ahead, Clarke and McDowell had another chance. They couldn't reach the green in two, but neither could Johnson and Poulter.
"It was definitely a lot harder than it looked," Johnson said. "Standing there we were like, 'Oh, this is a piece of cake.'"
Poulter came through, pitching to 7 feet. Then Johnson made the putt to follow Clarke and McDowell's birdie.
"Ian is one of the best chippers of the ball in the world, and he was the man for the job," McDowell said. "He was pretty clutch today. He played great."
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| Place | Team | Score | Earnings |
| 1 | Ian Poulter/Dustin Johnson | 63-64-59-186 (-30) | $750,000/team |
| 2 | Darren Clarke/Graeme McDowell | 67-62-59-188 (-28) | $470,000/team |
| T3 | Jerry Kelly/Steve Stricker | 63-63-64-190 (-26) | $250,000/team |
| T3 | Chris DiMarco/Anthony Kim | 67-62-61-190 (-26) | $250,000/team |
| T5 | Fred Funk/Kenny Perry | 64-62-66-192 (-24) | $172,500/team |
| T5 | K.J. Choi/Mike Weir | 67-62-63-192 (-24) | $172,500/team |
| T5 | Jason Day/Rory Sabbatini | 68-63-61-192 (-24) | $172,500/team |
| T5 | David Duval/Davis Love III | 67-66-59-192 (-24) | $172,500/team |
| 9 | Greg Norman/Matt Kuchar | 72-63-59-194 (-22) | $155,000/team |
| T10 | Rickie Fowler/Bubba Watson | 68-68-60-196 (-20) | $145,000/team |
| T10 | Justin Leonard/Scott Verplank | 66-66-64-196 (-20) | $145,000/team |
| T10 | Mark Calcavecchia/Jeff Overton | 64-67-65-196 (-20) | $145,000/team |
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More than 600 runners took to the streets of the Tiburón Golf Club community during the 2nd annual Shark Shootout 5K presented by Comcast on Saturday morning of the Shootout. After a successful inaugural race in 2009, a record number of participants turned out for what is quickly becoming a Shark Shootout tournament week tradition. The race which was held on a self-contained course commenced at 7 a.m. and finished prior to the start of tournament play. Proceeds once again benefited CureSearch for Children's Cancer and each race participant received complimentary admission to the golf tournament.
With a time of 15:50, Jesse Armbruster of Ashland, Ohio retained his 1st place overall crown by defeating his nearest competitor by more than a minute. Joining two-time champion Armbruster in the winner's circle were Kristen Kostka (1st place Female overall), Kip Kinn & Lisa Buohler (1st place Masters) and Jimmy Bunnel & Mary Rine (1st place Grand Master). For complete results visit www.thesharkshootout.com/5k.
Save the date: The 2011 Shark Shootout 5K will return December 10th. Registrations will begin in early September with a Kick-Off weekend special!!!
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The Shark Shootout would like to send a special thank you to its tournament partners:
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Don't forget to redeem your tournament ticket at PGA TOUR Superstore in Naples to receive $10 OFF your purchase of $50 or more.
Offer is valid through August 31, 2011. Visit PGA TOUR Supestore today!
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The Shark Shootout returns to Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples December 7 - 11, 2011! Mark your calendar!!
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