On the Links

On the Links

Saturday’s other pro golf results

PGA Mitsubishi Electric Championship

KAUPULEHU-KONA, HAWAII

Duffy Waldorf made a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole to beat Tom Lehman by a stroke Saturday in the PGA Tour Champions’ season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship

The 53-year-old Waldorf shot a 6-under 66 to finish at 18-under 198 at Hualalai Golf Course. He played all 54 holes without a bogey, becoming the fourth player and second winner to accomplish the feat in the tournament. John Cook also was bogey-free in his 2013 victory.

Waldorf has two victories in his last three starts, winning the Toshiba Classic in November for his first senior title. He won four times on the PGA Tour.

Lehman also closed with a 66. After Waldorf holed his birdie putt on the par-4 18th, Lehman left his 15-footer inches short.

“I’m happy for Duffy,” Lehman said. “He played very well. He made some really good putts when he had to make them. The greens here are so straight, so many putts are so straight, it’s easy to get line conscious and that’s what happens on 18 when you just worry about the line so much that you don’t hit it. So disappointing, but a good week for me.”

Two strokes behind Lehman was six holes left, Waldorf made a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th and pulled even with a 15-footer on the par-4 16th. Waldorf got up-and-down from the rough on the par-3 17th, saving par with a 7-foot putt.

Waldorf opened with rounds of 67 and 65 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round. He earned $300,000 in his first appearance in the event for major champions from the last five years, tournament winners the last two seasons and sponsor invitees.

“I knew I was playing well, but this is a strong field,” Waldorf said. “Even starting the day, I’m like, ‘If I play well there’s a good chance I won’t win.’ So I really didn’t feel any pressure out there that I had a chance to win or was going to do well, just wanted to play as good a round as I could.”

Davis Love III was third at 15 under after a 68. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain was making his sixth senior start after playing the PGA Tour’s Hawaii events the last two weeks. He won the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship in August.

Jay Haas (65) and Joe Durant (68) were 14 under, and Fred Couples (66) and Kenny Perry (67) were another stroke back.

Associated Press