Another Win Has Duval on Top of World

A year ago, there were some who questioned whether David Duval could win on the PGA Tour.

Now he is arguably the best young player in the world.

Over the last 11 months he has won six times and collected more than $3.3 million. He made $405,000 on Sunday by winning the NEC World Series of Golf at Akron, Ohio.

“I believe in what I do,� Duval said after he kept his challengers at bay with a two-under-par 68 that left him at 11-under 269 and two shots ahead of 1996 World Series champion Phil Mickelson. “I always stayed true to the course I wanted to follow, even when people questioned it and didn’t think I could win.�

The World Series was his third victory this year--more than anyone else on tour. With $2,070,283 earned in 1998, he’s the top money-winner.

Duval started the final round with a one-shot lead over local favorite John Cook, then sank a downhill 15-footer for an eagle on the par-five second hole.

Duval parred the next seven holes--while holding onto the two-shot lead--but bogeyed the par-four 11th when his chip from just off the back of the green rolled 25 feet past the hole. Duval ended the drama by rolling in a 12-foot birdie putt at 13 and followed that with a 15-footer for birdie at 14 to expand his lead to three shots.

Davis Love III had the lowest round of the day, a 65, to get to 272 for sole possession of third place. Cook shot a 71 to finish alone in fourth at 273.

Tiger Woods began the day four shots back but never seriously threatened, falling by the wayside with bogeys at 14 and 15 on the way to an even-par 70 and five-under 275.

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Brandel Chamblee made a 36-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the $2-million Greater Vancouver Open at Surrey, Canada, Sunday to cap a five-under-par 66 that gave him his first PGA Tour victory.

Chamblee had a 19-under 265 total, three strokes better than third-round leader Payne Stewart, who closed with a 70.

For Stewart, who had a one-stroke lead after 54 holes, it was the 23rd time in his career that the former U.S. Open and PGA champion finished second.

Lee Porter closed with a 66 and was alone in third at 271.

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Hale Irwin didn’t let a strong challenge from Jay Sigel keep him from winning the BankBoston Classic for the second year in a row.

Irwin shot a four-under 68 for a 15-under 201 total and a two-stroke victory over Sigel, who had a six-under 30 on the front nine only to fade to a 66 with bogeys on two of the last three holes.

The victory at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord, Mass., was Irwin’s sixth in his last 13 starts, the most on the Senior PGA Tour this season, and the 19th since he turned 50 in 1995.

Irwin has finished in the top five in each of his 16 1998 tournaments.

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Pearl Sinn had a seven-under 65 to beat Michelle Redman by a stroke and win the $700,000 Rail Classic at Springfield, Ill., for her first LPGA tour victory.

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Masashi “Jumbo� Ozaki shot an even-par 72 to win his third consecutive Hisamitsu KBC Augusta title by four strokes at Shima, Japan, with a 13-under 275 total. . . . England’s Russell Claydon won the BMW International Open at Munich, Germany, with a final score of 18-under 270.

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On a Roll

Since winning the Michelob Championship last October, David Duval has had an incredible run of success. His numbers during that time:

Tournaments: 23

Victories: 6

Earnings: $3,397,783

1998 Tournaments: 19

1998 victories: 3

1998 Earnings: $2,070,283

1998 Top-10 finishes: 9

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The only players since 1960 to win at least three titles in consecutive years: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Billy Casper, Ray Floyd, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Nick Price, David Duval.

Final Results

The top finishers in major weekend golf tournaments (Complete scores, 12C):

WORLD SERIES OF GOLF--Par 70

In Akron, Ohio

David Duval: 69-66-66-68--269 -11

Phil Mickelson: 66-71-66-68--271 -9

Davis Love III: 71-69-67-65--272 -8

Next: Greater Milwaukee Open, Thurs.-Sun.

GREATER VANCOUVER OPEN--Par 71

In Surrey, British Columbia

B. Chamblee: 67-64-68-66--265 -19

Payne Stewart: 64-69-65-70--268 -16

Lee Porter: 67-67-71-66--271 -13

Next: Greater Milwaukee Open, Thurs.-Sun.

BANK OF BOSTON CLASSIC--Par 72

In Concord, Mass.

Hale Irwin: 69-64-68--201 -15

Jay Sigel: 68-69-66--203 -13

David Graham: 68-68-68--204 -12

Joe Inman: 67-66-71--204 -12

Next: Emerald Coast Classic, Fri.-Sun.

STATE FARM RAIL CLASSIC--Par 72

At Springfield, Ill.

Pearl Sinn: 69-66-65--200 -16

Michele Redman: 70-63-68--201 -15

Tammie Green: 66-67-69--202 -14

Next: Safeway LPGA Championship, Fri.-Sun.

On a Roll

Since winning the Michelob Championship last October, David Duval has had an incredible run of success. His numbers during that time:

Tournaments: 23

Victories: 6

Earnings: $3,397,783

1998 Tournaments: 19

1998 Victories: 3

1998 Earnings: $2,070,283

1998 Top-10 finishes: 9

The only players since 1960 to win at least three titles in consecutive years: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Billy Casper, Ray Floyd, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Nick Price, David Duval.