Daniel’s Three-Stroke Victory Ends String Of Near Misses

Beth Daniel answered the pressure with a key putt on No. 14, and then put on a little of her own with a crucial chip on the final hole to win her first LPGA tour title of the year.

Daniel, a four-time winner in 1994 who has finished second in four tournaments this year, shot a 3-under-par 69 on Sunday for a three-stroke victory in the LPGA PING-Welch’s Championship in Canton, Mass. She had a 17-under 271 total on the Blue Hill Country Club course to break the tournament record.

Colleen Walker, who began the round tied with Daniel, shot a 72 to drop into a tie with Meg Mallon for second place. Walker made an 18-foot birdie putt on No. 14, but Daniel countered with an 11-footer to retain the lead.

Ray Floyd made an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 4-under-par 68 and a one-stroke victory over Graham Marsh at the Burnet Senior Classic in Coon Rapids, Mich.

Floyd, who earned $165,000 for his second victory of the year and 11th in four seasons on the Senior PGA Tour, had a 15-under 201 total on the Bunker Hills course.