Pavin Nabs First Champions Tour Title


Corey Pavin birdied the first sudden-death playoff hole to edge Australian Peter Senior and win the Allianz Championship for his first title on the Champions Tour. The 54-hole, $1.8 million tournament began Friday at the Broken Sound Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla.

Pavin and Senior entered the final round tied at 10-under 134. Both players carded 1-under 71s to finish regulation at 11-under 205.

On the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, Pavin sank a 12-footer for birdie that gave the 52-year-old - who notched 15 victories on the PGA Tour, including the 1995 U.S. Open - his maiden title on the over-50 circuit after 35 starts.

Senior was also seeking his first win on the Champions Tour, but Senior, also 52, must wait another day.

Tied for third at 10-under 206 were Bernhard Langer (71) and Michael Allen (69). Another stroke back at 207 were Jay Haas and John Cook, who both posted 69s. Sharing seventh at 208 were Nick Price (65), Gary Hallberg (70) and Mark Calcavecchia.

Calcavecchia was seemingly in the driver's seat early on the back nine. After making the turn in 4-under par thanks to six birdies and a double-bogey six on the par-4 second, the Florida resident enjoyed a three-shot lead on the field after a birdie on the par-5 11th. But it all went downhill from there as Calcavecchia bogeyed six of the seven final holes for a 5-over 41 on the home half.

Pavin's round was salvaged by a remarkable up-and-down on the par-3 14th. After his tee shot hit the green and rolled over it, his ball stopped against a tree root. He then turned the club over and hit a left-handed chip shot that stopped five feet from the cup. Pavin made the putt and parred the next two holes before a bogey on No. 17 and a par on the last to tie Senior.

Defending champion Tom Lehman closed with a 71 to end up in a tie for 31st at 2-under 214 with, among others, Peter Jacobsen. Jacobsen carded Saturday's low round, a 7-under 64. But Sunday was another matter as the Portland native closed with a 5-over 77.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/s/leaderboard/.