Cook Outlasts Frost in Hawaii


John Cook closed with a 5-under 67 to finish at 199 in the 54-hole Mitsubishi Electric Championship, tying - David Frost - the leader through first two rounds, in regulation.

The 55-year-old Cook then beat the 53-year-old Frost with a birdie on the second playoff hole to win the $1.8 million season opener on the Champions Tour, which took place at Hualalai Golf Course on the Kona Coast of Hawaii.

"I was just very relaxed," Cook said of his deportment Sunday. With this title the 11-time winner on the PGA Tour reached an impressive even 20 in professional tour wins following his ninth triumph on the over-50 circuit.

Bernhard Langer, a Hall of Fame member with 87 victories worldwide, chipped in on the final hole to finish alone in third a stroke out of the playoff at 16-under 200. The 55-year-old German closed with a final-round best of 8-under 64.

In solo fourth at 202 was Fred Couples (67) - who, in typically mercurial "Boom Boom" fashion, carded six birdies, an eagle and three bogeys Sunday. Another stroke back were Kenny Perry (64) and Kirk Triplett (69).

Seven strokes behind champion Cook was Russ Cochran (69). 2012 Charles Schwab Cup champion Tom Lehman (with rounds of 66, 71 and 70 - 207) started his 2013 campaign in eighth place.

Tied for ninth at 8-under 208 were Corey Pavin (69), Hale Irwin (70), Jay Haas (71), Steve Elkington (71) and Tom Kite (73).

Defending champion Dan Forsman carded rounds of 73, 73, 71 to end up sharing 32nd at 1-under 217 in the 54-hole tournament.

The Champions Tour next heads across the U.S. to Florida for the Allianz Championship, which starts February 8 at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton in Florida.

For complete scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.