Doyle’s record round wins U.S. Senior Open

KETTERING, Ohio – Allen Doyle shattered the U.S. Senior Open final-round record Sunday, closing with an 8-under 63 to win his third major championship.

Doyle had a bogey-free round that included eight birdies, and he managed to avoid the trouble that knocked third-round co-leaders Craig Stadler and Loren Roberts, as well as D.A. Weibring and others out of contention. His final-round 63, which beat the course record by a stroke, was the lowest by a Senior Open winner.

Doyle beat the previous final-round score by four shots and finished at 10-under 274, and one shot ahead of Roberts and Weibring. The victory, worth $470,000, was his 10th on the Champions Tour.

Stadler led by three shots with 10 holes to play, but imploded and finished four shots behind Doyle. Roberts was in control until making a double-bogey at No. 11. Weibring was on top by a shot with two holes left, but bogeyed both.

Greg Norman and Tom Watson, among others, had prime opportunities to steal the championship, but failed to make putts on the undulating greens at NCR Country Club.

Doyle, who turned 57 Tuesday, made the turn in 30 – matching the tourney record.