Cochran Hangs on in Des Moines


Russ Cochran carded six birdies and a bogey Sunday to shoot a 5-under 67 and win the Principal Charity Classic. The $1.75 million, 54-hole Champions Tour event took place at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines.

The 54-year-old Kentuckian ended up at 11-under 205, one stroke ahead of Jay Don Blake, who had a 69, and two ahead of Kirk Triplett (67), Mark Calcavecchia (67) and 36-hole leader Duffy Waldorf, who closed with a 71.

"I didn't really expect to win. But I knew I could compete and get in contention. Of course, when you do that, sometimes good things happen," said Cochran, who began Sunday two shots back of Waldorf.

The win was Cochran's fourth on the over-50 circuit.

Blake could have won the tournament, but he bogeyed the par-3 17th to fall a stroke behind Cochran. He still could have forced a playoff but missed his birdie try on 18. "I quit on the stroke. I didn't make a good stroke. I kind of de-accelerated and left it out there to the right," Blake said.

Alone in sixth at 208 following a 69 was Australia's Peter Senior.

Defending champion Jay Haas ended up tied for seventh at 209 with seven other players. Haas closed with a 68.

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