Andre Stolz played like a veteran instead of a struggling rookie when it counted most Sunday, shooting a 5-under 67 to win the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas by a shot over Tom Lehman and two others.
Stolz two-putted from 45 feet on the final hole to win for the first time on the PGA Tour and turn what had been a dismal season into a triumphant success.
The Australian, who had made only US$88,373 all year, made a crucial birdie putt on the 16th hole and then parred the last two holes to collect the US$720,000 winner's check and gain a tour exemption for the next two years.
"It's pretty awesome," said Stolz, who didn't make a bogey in the final round. "I told my wife last night I had a feeling I was going to win."
Tag Ridings, who tied the course record with a final-round 61, tied for second along with Lehman (69) and Harrison Frazar (67).
Stolz, who missed 10 of 11 cuts at one point this season, including eight in a row, began the day a stroke off the lead held by Lehman and took it over himself with a 32 on the front nine.
He played steady on the back nine, making six straight pars before sinking a 10-footer for birdie on the par-5 16th for what would prove the winning margin.
Stolz, who rammed in a final 3-footer on the 18th hole, actually thought he made it to get into a playoff. Instead, he was the winner at 21 under.
Asahi Ryokuken
Liselotte Neumann won her first LPGA Tour title in six years, holding off a late charge by Grace Park for a three-stroke victory at the LPGA Asahi Ryokuken International Championship on Sunday.
Neumann, the 1988 US Women's Open champion, had come into the week with few expectations. Even her name on caddie Mark Scott's vest was incorrectly spelled, "Newmann." But with a final-round 68 and a 15-under 273 total, she won for the first time since 1998.
The victory didn't come easily. Park, who also closed with a 68, cut Neumann's four-shot lead to a stroke twice on the back nine. But each time, Neumann held off the challenge.
"I'm so relieved and so happy," Neumann said. "I don't even know what else to say."
Laura Davies (70), Kris Tschetter (70) and Silvia Cavalleri (66) tied for third at 10 under.
Neumann said after the third round she wasn't sure if she would laugh or cry if she was victorious. In the end, she did both.
When her final putt dropped, the 38-year-old Swedish star raised her arms in victory, a wide grin on her face. She wiped away tears after hugging her caddie and then, as she made her way to the scoring tent, was doused with champagne by friend and fellow tour player Sherri Steinhauer.
Administaff
Larry Nelson rallied from far off the lead and made a 5-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat Hale Irwin and win the Administaff Small Business Classic.
Nelson, who started the final round Sunday seven shots back, closed with an 8-under 64 and tied Irwin (67) at 14-under 202, winning his second Champions Tour event of the year and 19th overall.
Peter Jacobsen just missed getting into the playoff. The US Senior Open champion, who is recovering from hip surgery, made bogey at the 18th after driving into the water. He finished with a 67 and tied second-round leader Wayne Levi (72) for third at 203.
Finishing three shots back at 205 were Morris Hatalsky (68), Jim Dent (69) and Jim Thorpe (69).
Dunhill Links
Stephen Gallacher beat Graeme McDowell with a birdie on the first playoff hole at the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday to score his first European Tour victory.
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