The Associated Press

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Joe Highsmith closed with a 6-under 64 to rally from a four-shot deficit and win the Cognizant Classic on Sunday with the lowest score since the tournament moved to PGA National in 2007.

Highsmith, who had to make a nervy par putt on Friday just to make the cut, is the second first-time winner on the PGA Tour in as many weeks. The two-shot victory sends him to the Masters and puts him in the remaining five signature events this year.

Elsewhere:

n Lydia Ko made three straight birdies to start pulling away and closed with a 3-under 69 to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship for the first time in her 11st try.

n Ryan Peake, an Australian former motorcycle gang member who spent five years in prison for assault, rallied with a 6-under 66 to win the New Zealand Open.

n Dylan Naidoo made a short birdie on the first playoff hole to beat Laurie Canter and win his first European tour title at the Investec South African Open Championship.