Slumping South African Nails 15-Foot Shot To Escape With Victory

Mon., May 15, 1995

Compiled From Wire Services

Ernie Els sank a critical putt for par on the 12th hole Sunday, igniting a late rush that brought him a three-stroke victory in the GTE-Byron Nelson Classic in Irving, Texas.

The U.S. Open champion from South Africa won with a closing 2-under-par 68 and a 263 total on the TPC at the Four Seasons.

Els built a three-shot lead by playing the middle rounds in 126 but let it slip away on a hot, muggy day with a mediocre effort over the front side in the final round. That opened the door to a host of challengers.

After a three-putt bogey on the 11th, Els sank a 15-foot putt to save par on the 12th and avoid falling two shots off the pace.

George Archer, a 55-year-old battling a degenerative hip injury, held on to win the $950,000 Cadillac NFL Golf Classic in Clifton, N.J., for his second PGA Senior Tour victory of the year.

Archer, who held a one-shot lead over Lee Trevino entering the final round of the 54-hole tournament, closed with a 2-under-par 70 and finished with a tournament-record 11-under 205.

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Slumping South African Nails 15-Foot Shot To Escape With Victory

Jesse Tinsley

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Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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