Woodland led by one shot in a single day after Hojgaard, chasing his first PGA Tour win, backed up a elegant eight-under-par 62 on Friday with a seven-under-par 63 on Saturday.
However the American confirmed outstanding calm and management on a masterful entrance 9, that includes 4 birdies, to maneuver right into a lead he by no means seemed like relinquishing.
Hojgaard additionally had two bogeys and one double bogey, regardless of two birdies, in his first 10 holes to spice up Woodland’s possibilities.
The Dane closed the hole to 5 photographs on the 14th gap – discovering a birdie whereas Woodland carded a bogey – then 4 photographs with one other birdie on the sixteenth.
However Woodland matched him with a par on 17 and made par on the final, whereas Hojgaard dropped one other shot.
Woodland obtained a heat reception from the group down the stretch, which turned to rapturous applause and chants of “Gary, Gary” as he sank his putt for victory.
It’s Woodland’s fifth PGA Tour triumph and maybe units him as much as problem for the primary main of the season at subsequent month’s Masters.
When requested about his possibilities at Augusta, he emphasised he nonetheless had private and psychological points to work on, however added: “My sport is best than it is ever been.”
American Johnny Keefer and Australia’s Min Woo Lee tied for third, one stroke behind Hojgaard, on 15 underneath.
Reflecting on his achievement, Woodland mentioned he was “most proud” that he “did not surrender” on his profession over a troublesome previous few years.
He added: “I attempted to decelerate and take issues in as a result of it did not really feel like this was doable a few years in the past.”
