Rhode Island duo win Fred Meyer title

Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade, best friends who have struggled on the PGA Tour this year, birdied their final four holes Tuesday to win the Fred Meyer Challenge.

Faxon and Andrade matched their 11-under-par 61 of Monday's first round to win the 14th annual charity tournament by two strokes.

"I remember the first time I played with Greg (Norman)," said Faxon, who won the best-ball event with Norman in 1995-97. "He talked about how much being in contention meant to him. It didn't matter whether it was the Masters, the U.S. Open or the Fred Meyer Challenge. And Billy and I felt the same way."

Craig Stadler and Steve Elkington shot 62 to finish 20-under along with Jim Furyk and John Huston, who finished strongly with a 60, tying a tournament record.

Andrade's and Faxon's total of 22-under par tied the tournament record set by Lanny and Bobby Wadkins in 1990.

Faxon missed nearly two months after he broke his left wrist in May falling from a ladder at his home. Andrade has generally played poorly, standing 96th on the money list.

"I kept thinking today would be great to win, just for my partner because he hasn't played much golf this year," said Andrade, who lives less than 10 miles from Faxon and runs a charity tournament with him.

"We've known each other since we were 9, 10 years old," Andrade added. "To win with friends is great, but to win with your best friend is different. It's even more special."

Faxon and Andrade birdied their first five holes and were 6-under on the front nine. Faxon chipped in from just off the green on Nos. 2 and 4, and made a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 3. Andrade had a 25-foot birdie on No. 5.

An eagle by Furyk on 13 put pressure on the Rhode Island pair, and the teams were tied for a while. After Furyk and Huston came off the course, Andrade birdied Nos. 15, 16 and 17, and Faxon birdied 18.

The winners split $150,000 in prize money and were awarded the tournament's traditional "jean jackets," showing how different the relaxed event is from the Masters and its green jackets.

Andrade won his second jacket after first winning in 1992 with Tom Kite.

Tournament founder Peter Jacobsen and , teammates for the 14th straight year, finished last at 10-under after shooting 66 on Tuesday.

Furyk and Huston began the day three shots behind Faxon-Andrade and Phil Mickelson-Jay Haas. Furyk and Huston birdied five of the first six holes and jumped into contention with Furyk's eagle on 13 that put them 16-under, one shot off the lead.

The pair birdied their last four holes, but Faxon and Andrade didn't let up.

"I know this is a fun event and Peter makes it a party," Faxon said. "But it's something we really take pretty seriously on the golf course."

AP