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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hoch Blows Lead, Allows Stewart To Slip By In Houston Playoff

Compiled From Wire Services

Payne Stewart made a 3-foot par putt on the first playoff hole Sunday to win the Houston Open over Scott Hoch, who blew a six-shot lead with seven holes to go in Woodlands, Texas.

Stewart birdied the 18th hole to give him a 4-under-par 68. He took the tournament lead at 12-under 276 while in the clubhouse when Hoch doublebogeyed 17. Hoch then made a 35-foot birdie putt on 18 to salvage a 3-over 75 and force the playoff at the Tournament Players Course.

The victory was Stewart’s ninth, but the first since the 1991 U.S. Open.

Pullman’s Kirk Triplett shot a 71 to finish at 282, six shots back.

Hoch had a six-shot lead at the turn and collapsed on the back nine with three bogeys and the double-bogey that started with a tee shot in the water.

In the playoff, at the par-4 18th, Stewart’s drive was in great shape on the fairway, but Hoch pulled his tee shot to the left among some trees and he had no clear shot to the green.

Stewart’s birdie attempt missed by about 4 feet, but he calmly rolled it in for par and the championship.

Jim Colbert became the first twotime winner this year on the PGA Senior Tour, holding off defending champion Raymond Floyd and Rocky Thompson with a 3-under-par 69 in Las Vegas to capture the Las Vegas Senior Classic by two shots.

Colbert made a pair of back-nine birdies, then survived a bogey on the par3 17th hole to finish three rounds at 11-under and win for the first time in his adopted hometown.