Haas Racks Up 15th Victory on Champions Tour


It's been nearly two years since Jay Haas found himself in a familiar place, the winner's circle on the Champions Tour. But the 57-year-old had no problem finding his way back to that spot after a birdie on the final hole to win the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn.

Haas closed with a 68 to finish at 15-under 201, one stroke clear of Kenny Perry (66), Tom Lehman (68) and Peter Senior (70). It was the highest winning score in the tournament since 2006.

The win, worth $262,500, at TPC Twin Cities was the 15th for Haas on the senior circuit but his first since the Senior Players Championship in October 2009.

Haas, who started the last round one shot behind Senior and John Huston, carded six birdies - including the big one on the 54th hole - and two bogeys Sunday to avoid a playoff with the three who finished a stroke behind him.

Ending up alone fifth at 203 was Hal Sutton, who closed with a 67, while another stroke back in sixth were Tom Watson, who carded the second lowest round Sunday, a 7-under 65, and Mark O'Meara (68).

Olin Browne - who won last week's Senior U.S. Open at Inverness Club in Toledo - posted the low round of the 3M Championship, a 9-under 63, tied for eighth at 11-under 205 with Joey Sindelar (65), Larry Mize (67), Jay Don Blake (68), David Eger (68), Mark Calcavecchia (71), Tommy Armour III (69), Huston (73) and Hale Irwin, who once again shot his age, 66, in a Champions Tour event.

Making his return to the over-50 tour for the first time since June, Fred Couples closed with a 70 to end up in a tie for 17th at 8-under 208.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboards/current/s568/.