SCOTT McCARRON became the third consecutive first time winner on the PGA Tour when he shot a one under par 71 yesterday to beat Tom Watson by five strokes at the $1.2 million Freeport McDermott Classic in New Orleans.

McCarron finished at 13 under par 275 to keep Watson, who shot a disappointing two over 74 for a 280 total, still winless since the last week of 1987.

"I wasn't too nervous," said McCarron. "I came here with a good attitude and rally enjoyed myself all week. I feel badly for Tom. It's great that I won, but you want to see him do better. I hope he wins next week."

McCarron (30), is not only the third successive new winner on tour following Tim Herron at the Honda Classic and Paul Goydos last week at Bay Hill, but the third to win with a rock solid performance on the final day.

Conditions were extremely difficult at English Turn, a tough course even without the 30 mph winds, with gusts to 40 mph, that swept the course on the final day of competition.

McCarron made just two bogeys, missing a 3 1/2 foot putt on the fifth hole, and bogeying the final hole from a bunker.

. Britain's Laura Davies became the first LPGA player in 21 years to win an event three consecutive years by capturing the $700,000 Standard Register Classic in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday.

Davies, who began the day three strokes behind Kristal Parker Gregory, fired a two under par 70 in the final round to finish at eight under par 280 and beat Parker Gregory, who bogeyed the final hole, by one stroke.

The "three peat" was only the third in EPA history and the first since Sandra Haynie swept a Dallas area event from 1973-1975.

"I wish I played here every week," Davies said of the Moon Valley course.

When asked about going for four in a row next year, Davies laughed and joked, "I don't know if my heart will take it."