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Written by Drummond Golf
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 21:45
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 A week can make the world of difference in golf - and one only needs to look to the fluctuating fortunes of Kyle Stanley for proof.
Having capitulated on the closing hole to lose the lead at the Farmers Insurance Open two Sundays ago (January 29), this time around at the Waste Management Phoenix Open the young American charged home spectacularly to claim an unlikely victory.
Of course for Stanley to put the crushing blow at Torrey Pines truly behind him, it was always going to require a similar final-day meltdown from runaway Phoenix Open leader Spencer Levin.
Sadly for Levin that is exactly what unfolded, as he scrambled to a disastrous four-over 75 at TPC Scottsdale on Sunday (February 5) in a round that featured a double-bogey seven at the 15th hole.
Meanwhile Stanley, who began the day eight strokes behind the frontrunner, put together a faultless six-under 65 to win the event at 15 under.
Ben Crane was one shot back in outright second place after a round of 66, while Levin ultimately finished third at 13 under despite his chaotic end to the tournament.
Stanley's success was reminiscent of Rory McIlroy's victory at the US Open at Congressional - which followed the loss of what appeared to be a certain title at the US Masters last April - and the American said he felt in superior mental shape at the second attempt.
"I didn't really think about it too much today, but I made the mistake of thinking about it probably all of the final round last week," Stanley said after his remarkable win.
"You can't really teach somebody the experience aspect of it and I think being in contention last week, I think the more times you get there, the more comfortable you get."
Levin started his round with a six-shot advantage over his nearest rival Webb Simpson, but while the world number six never threatened to overtake his playing partner, plenty of others were lining up to chase down the 27-year-old.
"It was a weird feeling today," said Levin.
"Next time, I'll just try to maybe stay a little more patient and try to have a little more fun."
It is a sentiment that appeared to help both McIlroy and Stanley immensely.
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