Funk Nails Down Second Champions Tour Title of the Year


Fred Funk birdied the par-5 18th hole for a 3-under 69 to sneak past Duffy Waldorf and win the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn. The $1.6 million, 54-hole Champions Tour event took place at Rock Barn Golf & Spa in Conover, N.C.

Funk finished at 15-under 201, one stroke ahead of Waldorf, who closed with a 66. Waldorf, a Champions Tour rookie, is still looking for his first victory on the over-50 circuit.

The title was the second of the year for Funk, a 56-year-old Maryland native who in May took the Insperity Championship. His latest win was worth $240,000.

After playing the front nine in even-par 36, Funk, the 36-hole leader, posted three birdies on the back. "I was very relaxed," he said at greenside. "Played real well on the front nine. I was feeling a little heat though on the last one," he noted in reference to his winning two-foot birdie putt on 18.

Alone in third at 10-under 206 was defending champion Mark Wiebe (70), while another stroke back were Jay Don Blake (68), John Cook (68), Peter Senior (70), Dan Forsman (70) and Chip Beck (71).

Sharing ninth at 208 were Loren Roberts (68), Bernhard Langer (69) and David Frost (71).

Langer entered the tournament leading the season-long Charles Schwab Cup standings over Tom Lehman. His T-9 finish in the Greater Hickory Classic helped him maintain that lead with two events to go on the Champions Tour.

For complete scoring, visit http://www.pgatour.com/s/leaderboard.