Jenkins gains second senior title

Tom Jenkins is having the time of his life, both on and off the golf course.

Jenkins, who, at age 52, became a father again last month, won for the second time on Senior PGA Tour, making a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole at the AT&T Canada Senior Open today.

His 4-under-par 68 on the St. Charles Country Club course gave him a 14-under 274 total, one stroke better than Kermit Zam 1973 to 1985, Jenkins has thrived among the over-50 set. The first prize for his first victory of the year was $217,500 and it pushed him over the $1 million mark in official earnings this year with $1,134,196.

"You don't get too many second chances in life, so you have to take advantage of it,'' Jenkins said. "I have a new family, so that's very exciting. And I'm giving myself a chance to win. It's a great feeling.''

Playing in the final group of the day with Bruce Fleisher and Doug Tewell, Jenkins stepped to the 18th tee tied at 13-under with Zarley, who was playing in the group directly ahead.

Jenkins said he could see Zarley tap in for a par 5, and immediately felt a rush of adrenaline.

"I knew I was in a position to win it,'' said Jenkins, who hit a perfect wedge from 72 yards to set up the winning putt. "I had one putt to win. It was very straight, and halfway there I knew it was in.

"That's the situation you dream of. That's what we're all out here for.''

Jenkins's only PGA Tour victory came in 1975 at the IVB-Philadelphia Classic. It took 24 more years before he would win again -- the Senior PGA Tour's Bell Atlantic Classic, just outside the same city.

"I prayed it wouldn't take me another 24 years,'' he said.

It didn't, but Zarley and others didn't make it easy on him.

Zarley's closing 66 equaled the low round of the day, while Tewell had a 69 to finish third at 12-under 276. Fleisher, who shared the third-round lead with Jenkins, had a 72 and was at 278.

While Zarley was brilliant for most of the day, one blunder eventually cost him dearly. Sitting 12-under through 12 holes, he slid an 8-foot birdie putt just past the hole and then missed the 1-footer coming back.

"You play years and years of pro golf and never miss one like that,'' said Zarley, who won the Canadian Open in 1970, one of two victories he recorded during a 19-year PGA Tour career. "It was just so careless.''

He managed to rebound in a hurry, making birdies on 14 and 15 before parring the last three holes.

Hugh Baiocchi was alone at 279 after a final-round 66, while Leonard Thompson (70), Ed Dougherty (72) and Tom Wargo (68) all finished at 280.

Jack Nicklaus had a final-round 72 and finished at 283.

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