Paul Goydos claimed a long-awaited PGA Tour title with a one-stroke victory at the US$5.2 million Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday.

Goydos recovered from a slow start to storm home with four back-nine birdies in a three-under-par 67 at the Waialae Country Club to end a 256-event drought on the PGA Tour.

The 42-year-old's eagle chip at the par-five 18th clattered against the pin but the tap-in birdie was all he needed to card a 14-under 266 and record his first tour success since the 1996 Bay Hill Invitational.

Overnight leader Charles Howell (70) and Luke Donald (69) tied for second on 267 as Howell was forced to settle for a ninth tour second place after leading by two shots at the turn.

Howell faltered down the stretch and hit a poor chip shot at the 18th before missing a 15-foot birdie putt as victory slipped away.