Sabbatini hits out at hecklers

RORY SABBATINI has spoken out about heckling after grabbing the win which takes him top of the American golf tour.

The 29-year-old South African, known for not hiding his feelings, said after his one-shot victory at the Nissan Open in Los Angeles: "There were a lot of very snide remarks.

"It's sad when you have that situation. I'm an avid believer that you don't wish for somebody else to do bad, but all I can say is that it's common."

There was one particular comment he refused to reveal what it was that really got under Sabbatini's skin as he battled with popular American Fred Couples.

But he added: "It almost motivated me to go into the crowd. It's nothing to do with Freddie. He was one of my idols growing up and is one of the nicest guys. But give other guys a chance don't be rude."

At the 13th hole, Sabbatini thought he had got out of trouble and onto the green when he heard the cheering after his second shot.

But after taking out his putter he then discovered that the shouts were for the fact that his ball had rolled down a slope into rough.

"That was the Fred Couples support team," he commented.

Former Masters champion Couples had just drawn level, but a birdie from Sabbatini at the short 16th was the decisive moment in the event.

And with Couples having three bogeys in the last four holes to slip to fourth, it was defending champion Adam Scott, round in a brilliant 64, who finished second.

Sabbatini came in for a lot of criticism last June when he protested about the slow play of playing partner Ben Crane by stomping off ahead of him rather than having a quiet word.

He stated that most of the comments he received from other players afterwards were supportive but, as Colin Montgomerie can testify, fans can make life uncomfortable if you give them a reason to dislike you.

Three times a winner on the US Tour four if you add his World Cup win with Trevor Immelman in South Carolina in 2003 Sabbatini also feels bitter about some adverse publicity he has received.

Again he chose not to go into detail, but it made him glad he came through a tough final day at Riviera after holding a four-stroke lead after the second and third rounds.

"There are people who have taken pops at me and I didn't want to give them any more ammunition. They seem to have their opinions and it's pretty sad," said Sabbatini.

"I'm just focusing on what I am doing and listening to the people whose opinions I value. It's paying off."

With earnings of over $2 million (€1.68m) already this year his win followed two runners-up finishes nobody can argue with that.

Sabbatini described his closing 72 as "the hardest round of golf I've ever played."

Lee Westwood, meanwhile, earned roughly £120,000 (€175,000) for joint fifth place, his best finish in America since the 2000 US Open.

Paul McGinley's closing 74 left him down the field in 51st.