This was Sabbatini's first PGA Tour title since the 2009 Byron Nelson Championship and his sixth in total. It also comes only a matter of weeks after he underwent surgery for skin cancer. However, victory sees him qualify for this week's WGC - Caddilac Championship and The Masters.
The Tour's Florida Swing got off to a breezy start at Palm Beach's National Champion Course and Sabbatini had appeared to cope best with the conditions.
Yet the 34-year-old had to grind it out on Day 4 and relied on his five-stroke overnight cushion to see the tournament out. After dropping shots at the 9th and 14th, only a birdie at the par-4 16th, along with pars at the 17th and 18th, allowed some breathing space ahead of the chasing pack.
Korea's Yang made up most ground despite carding a bogey at the second hole. Five subsequent birdies, including a near hole-in-one at the par-3 15th, saw him put pressure on his South African playing partner.
Making up the last group was Kelly, who birdied the final two holes in a closing 67 to claim third place. Elsewhere, a 68 and 67 from Ricky Barnes and Tommy Gainey saw them make up the top five.
Other big movers on Day 4 included Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald. After Sabbatini's course record-equalling 64 on Day 2, McDowell carded the same score with a bogey-free round to leap 24 places up the leaderboard and finish in a tie for sixth.
Likewise, Donald jumped 13 places with a closing 66 for a share of tenth place.
THE TOP FIVE
| 1 - Rory Sabbatini (SA) | -9 (71 64 66 70 - 271) | $1,026,000 | ||
| 2 - Y. E. Yang (Kor) | -8 (68 71 67 66 - 272) | $615,600 | ||
| 3 - Jerry Kelly (USA) | -7 (71 67 68 67 - 273) | $387,600 | ||
| 4 - Ricky Barnes (USA) | -4 (70 68 71 67 - 276) | $273,600 | ||
| 5 - Tommy Gainey (USA) | -3 (71 67 71 68 - 277) | $228,000 |
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