FRED COUPLES' BIRDIE-BIRDIE FINISH
TO WIN TOSHIBA CLASSIC BY ONE
FROM THE US PGA TOUR WEBSITE
with additional words by Colin Farquharson
NEWPORT BEACH, California (AP) -- Fred Couples won the Toshiba Classic on Sunday for his 10th Champions Tour title, birdieing the final two holes for a one-stroke victory.
The 54-year-old Couples shot a 5-under 66 to finish at 15-under 198 at Newport Beach Country Club. He earned first prize of $262,500 from the total prizefund of $1,750,000.
Also the 2010 winner, laid-back Fred made a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th and holed another 4-footer on the par-5 18th.
"I worked pretty hard but I drove it all over the lot," Couples said. "I made some putts and when you do, you have a chance."
Couples had to scramble on the final hole to take the outright lead. After hitting his approach over the green, he hit a flop shot to set up the birdie putt.
"I hit a 6-iron and it was way too much club," Couples said. "To get up-and-down from there for me was kind of miraculous."
Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Steve Pate tied for second. Langer had a chance to force a playoff, but missed a 20-foot birdie try on 18 and settled for a 70.
"I knew where I stood," Langer said. "I asked someone and they told me Freddie birdied. I just hit a bad shot."
Montgomerie - who has his 51st birthday in June - had a 62, the best round of the week, and Pate shot a 66.
It was Monty's third appearance on the US Seniors Tour of the year and his third top 10 finish. His placings so far - T10, T6 and T2.
Which suggests that the big Scot from Glasgow will be a winner next time out!
He won $128,000 for joint second in the Toshiba Classic, bringing his earnings from the three US events this year to $228,841.
In his Sunday bogey-free round of 62, Colin birdied the first, long third, short fourth and fifth in four-under 31 to the turn.
After that came birdies at the 12th, short 13th, long 15th, short 17th and long 18th in five-under 31 for the homeward journey.
The Americans are hot on statistics and the Champions Tour website relates that Monty had an average drive of 278.2yd in the "Toshiba," and an average of 1.667 putts per green. He hit 72.22 per cent of the greens in regulation.
Couples became the second two-time winner in tournament history. Hale Irwin won in 1998 and 2002.
"It was a great day," Couples said. "I was a little salty out there at times. I assumed someone would get to 16 under. I'm just happy I made some birdies."
Langer's approach on No. 18 ended up left of the green up against a hospitality tent. After a drop, he chipped 20 feet past the hole and his birdie putt missed on the left side.
"I pull-hooked it and when you are left, especially short and left you have no chance," Langer said. "I hit a good putt, but it didn't go in."
Mark O'Meara, Michael Allen, Kenny Perry, Jeff Hart and Scott Dunlap tied for fifth at 13 under. O'Meara closed with a 64, Allen had a 67, Hart and Dunlap shot 68, and Perry had a 69.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 213 (3x71) Players from USA unless stated
198 Fred Couples 65 67 66
199 Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) 67 70 62, Steve Pate 68 65 66, Bernhard Langer 63 66 70
200 Mark O'Meara 71 65 64, Michael Allen 66 67 67, Jeff Hart 68 64 68, Kenny Perry 66 65 69.
SELECTED SCORES
203 Peter Senior (Australia) 70 63 70 (T16)
204 Roger Chapman (England) 70 67 67, Tom Watson 71 63 70 (T20)
216 Sandy Lyle (Scotland) 72 72 72 (T70)
222 Ben Crenshaw 71 75 76 (T79).
TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS
CLICK HERE
Published by scottishgolfview.com