Roberts birdies three of last four for
ninth win on US Seniors Tour
Loren Roberts has chalked up his ninth career victory on the US Champions (Seniors) Tour.
He holed a 3ft birdie putt at the last hole to win the ACE Group Classic at Naples, Florida, beating Gene Jones by one stroke.
Roberts shot a 68 to finish at seven-under 209. Jones, who led by a shot coming into the final round, had a 70 for 210.
It was Roberts' second win in four years at this Florida venue. He joined Lee Trevino (1990-91), Mike Hill (1993-94), Hale Irwin (1997, 2002) and Gil Morgan (1998, 2001) as two-time champions.
Roberts won $240,000 out of the $1.6 million purse. It was his fifth professional win in Florida.
Roberts and Jones were tied going into the final hole. Jones hit his approach to 12 feet, then Roberts knocked a pitching wedge from 102 yards to within 3ft of the flagstick.
Jones, seeking his first win on the Champions Tour, missed his birdie putt on the left. But ice-cool Roberts made no mistake. It was his third birdie over the last four holes.
``I felt like I went out and won it, birdieing the last three out of four,'' he said. ``A lot of emotion with that happening because sometimes you win because you get help from somebody else or whatever. I felt like I went out and won the golf tournament. That's what gave me some emotion. I had to let out some emotion there.''
Roberts made birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 - hitting a 2-iron to 1 1/2 feet on that one - to get back in the tournament.
Six players held or shared the lead during the final round, and Jones, a mini-tour veteran, had it until a bogey on No. 14.
``I had my opportunity, and Loren came through like you have to expect the guy to come through,'' Jones said. ``That's what he's good at: winning. So I learned a lot today.''
James Mason (70), Don Pooley (70), Ben Crenshaw (68) and Bernhard Langer (69) tied for third at 5-under 211.
Crenshaw had the lead after 12 holes, but bogeyed No. 13, and missed a 12-footer for birdie on the final hole. Crenshaw hasn't won a tour event since the 1995 Masters.
Pooley grabbed the lead with a birdie on No. 12, but gave it right back with a double-bogey on the next hole.
ninth win on US Seniors Tour
Loren Roberts has chalked up his ninth career victory on the US Champions (Seniors) Tour.
He holed a 3ft birdie putt at the last hole to win the ACE Group Classic at Naples, Florida, beating Gene Jones by one stroke.
Roberts shot a 68 to finish at seven-under 209. Jones, who led by a shot coming into the final round, had a 70 for 210.
It was Roberts' second win in four years at this Florida venue. He joined Lee Trevino (1990-91), Mike Hill (1993-94), Hale Irwin (1997, 2002) and Gil Morgan (1998, 2001) as two-time champions.
Roberts won $240,000 out of the $1.6 million purse. It was his fifth professional win in Florida.
Roberts and Jones were tied going into the final hole. Jones hit his approach to 12 feet, then Roberts knocked a pitching wedge from 102 yards to within 3ft of the flagstick.
Jones, seeking his first win on the Champions Tour, missed his birdie putt on the left. But ice-cool Roberts made no mistake. It was his third birdie over the last four holes.
``I felt like I went out and won it, birdieing the last three out of four,'' he said. ``A lot of emotion with that happening because sometimes you win because you get help from somebody else or whatever. I felt like I went out and won the golf tournament. That's what gave me some emotion. I had to let out some emotion there.''
Roberts made birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 - hitting a 2-iron to 1 1/2 feet on that one - to get back in the tournament.
Six players held or shared the lead during the final round, and Jones, a mini-tour veteran, had it until a bogey on No. 14.
``I had my opportunity, and Loren came through like you have to expect the guy to come through,'' Jones said. ``That's what he's good at: winning. So I learned a lot today.''
James Mason (70), Don Pooley (70), Ben Crenshaw (68) and Bernhard Langer (69) tied for third at 5-under 211.
Crenshaw had the lead after 12 holes, but bogeyed No. 13, and missed a 12-footer for birdie on the final hole. Crenshaw hasn't won a tour event since the 1995 Masters.
Pooley grabbed the lead with a birdie on No. 12, but gave it right back with a double-bogey on the next hole.
Labels: Pro seniors
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Monday, February 23, 2009
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