SCOTT McCarron withstood gusting winds, fast hilly greens and the strain of playing 36 holes yesterday to win a $3.3 million PGA event, the final tune-up for the Masters.
The American fired final rounds of par 72 and one-over 73 to finish at 280, capturing the $594,000 top prize and his third career PGA title by three strokes over Canada's Mike Weir. McCarron's last title came here in 1997.
The event's first round was postponed a day after rain on Thursday and officials decided to play 36 holes yesterday rather than reduce the tournament to 54 holes.
"This was just an absolute marathon," McCarron said. "I had some trouble coming in. It was like that four years ago. I missed a few short putts then too."
McCarron became the first PGA player to win with an overpar final round since Tiger Woods did it at the 1999 Disney Classic with a last-day 73 to beat South Africa's Ernie Els by a stroke.
While rivals rolled off the leaderboard the way putts rolled away from the cups, McCarron sank a clutch 20-foot birdie putt at the 16th hole to reverse his own misfortunes and send a signal he would not squander a huge advantage.
"That long one at 16 really clinched it for me," McCarron said.
McCarron reached 10-under par and led by six strokes with seven holes to play as others slid out of contention, undone by a combination of blustering wind gusts, chilly conditions and Augusta-like fast and undulating greens.
Scores in SPORTS ROUND-UP
