Birdie Drives Funk To Buick Win
Fred Funk won his second PGA Tour title of the year, closing with a 5-foot birdie putt for a one-stroke victory over Loren Roberts and John Morse in the Buick Challenge in Pine Mountain, Ga.
Funk, who shot a 5-under-par 67 for a 16-under 272 total on Callaway Gardens’ Mountain View Course, hit his 6-iron approach from 156 yards past the pin and made the winning putt after Morse missed a 16-foot birdie bid.
Kirk Triplett, formerly of Pullman, Jeff Sluman and Guy Boros finished two back at 274.
Gail Graham won the LPGA Fieldcrest Cannon Classic in Cornelius, N.C., for her first career title, finishing with a 10-foot birdie putt for a two-stroke victory over Tammie Green.
Graham, a 29-year-old Canadian in her sixth season on the tour, shot her second straight 3-under-par 69 to tie the LPGA’s best 72-hole score of the year with a 15-under 273 total on The Peninslua Club course.
Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum, Idaho, finished tied for 11th with a final-round 69 for a total of 281, but lost the Rolex Rookie of the Year award as Pat Hurst’s 18th-place finish gave her the title by five points. Robin Walton of Clarkston shot a 74 to finish 13 strokes back of Graham.
In Clemmons, N.C., Hale Irwin broke away with five straight birdies on the front nine in winning the $1.5 million Vantage Championship with a closing 7-under-par 65.
Bernhard Langer eagled the 18th hole to force a playoff, then rolled in a 22-foot putt at the second extra hole to beat Barry Lane and win the European Open in Dublin, Ireland.