Clarke collapses, hands Lonard first PGA victory

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Darren Clarke handed Australian Peter Lonard his first PGA Tour title Sunday, collapsing with a startling run of bogeys and double bogeys in the final round of the MCI Heritage.

Lonard, who entered the round with a one-stroke lead but dropped four shots behind Clarke after the first five holes, was tied with Clarke entering the final hole.

The drama ended quickly, though, with Clarke pulling his approach shot into the thatchy beach area next to the green en route to a double bogey. Fans shouted to Clarke, Lonard, their caddies and officials who searched for the wayward shot without success.

Lonard sweated through a final-round 75 to finish at 7-under 277, while Clarke had four bogeys and three double bogeys in a 76 that left him tied for second with five-time Harbour Town winner Davis Love III (71), Jim Furyk (69) and Billy Andrade (68).

“It’s obviously a great honor,” Lonard said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”

On the 18th, Clarke eventually trudged back to the fairway to finish off his double bogey while Lonard, safely on the green in two.

“Anybody got a beer?” Clarke asked before taking questions.

It was hard to keep things straight at Harbour Town Golf Links without a scorecard. Lonard was down by four, then led by one after the eighth hole. He again fell behind Clarke by two shots after a bogey on the 12th hole. But three holes later, Lonard was ahead by a stroke and clung to the victory.

David Frost broke the PGA Tour’s 16-year-old record for fewest putts in a tournament, needing just 92. Frost, who finished at 6-over par, had one fewer putt than previous record holder Kenny Knox, who also set his mark at this tournament in 1989.