Forsman Wins Champions Tour's Season Opener


Dan Forsman closed with a 3-under 69 to win the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, the first event of the year on the Champions Tour.

Forsman finished at 15-under 201 on the Hualalai Course in Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii, two strokes lower than Jay Don Blake (67) and three less than defending champion John Cook (68) and Michael Allen (69).

Forsman had a two-stroke lead heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament and never ceded it on a Sunday when the winds whipped up to 25 mph. The victory, worth $307,000, was his third on the senior circuit. "On the 18th green I couldn't even speak," Forsman said of his emotions after the win was secured.

"I am really humbled to top this field of guys I've admired and competed with all my professional life," added the five-time winner on the PGA Tour. "The chance to be on top of a distinguished group of players like this is something I'll always cherish. You've got to be blessed to have opportunities like this and I feel like I am."

Gary Hallberg and Jeff Sluman tied for fifth at 205, while at 206 were Mark Calcavecchia (66), Jay Haas (71), Tom Watson (72) and Brad Bryant (72).

After opening with a 72, Fred Couples rallied on the weekend with rounds of 66 and 69 to take solo 11th at 9-under 207. Tom Lehman, the Champions Tour's 2011 Player of the Year, finished another stroke back.

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