Hammond wins by one shot

Donnie Hammond emerged from a packed leaderboard Sunday to win the Buy.com Lakeland Classic by one stroke. Hammond posted a five-under 67 Sunday to finish at 16-under 272 and edge third-round leader Jeff Gallagher and Tom Kalinowski. The win was the first for Hammond, a veteran who joined the PGA Tour in 1983, since he captured the 1989 Texas Open.

Brent Schwarzrock bogeyed the final two holes and finished fourth at 14-under 274, while Kris Cox and Mike Standly were fifth at minus- 13.

The win came when Gallagher three-putted the final green from 25 feet. His birdie putt to win was above the hole "on a slope you could go skiing on," according to Gallagher. The initial putt slid some eight feet past the cup.

"I actually hit a decent putt," said Gallagher. "It broke about two inches and I thought it was straight."

Hammond, who started the final round five strokes behind Gallagher, gave credit to his putter for helping him tally three birdies, six pars and no bogeys on the back nine.

"It was the key for me," Hammond said. "I made about six or seven five-footers for par.

With six holes to play, five players were tied for the lead at 15-under and four more were within two of the lead. Schwarzrock was the first to get to 16-under with a birdie on the 208-yard, par-three 15th. Hammond joined him minutes later when he sank a six-foot putt for birdie on the same hole. Gallagher was next after dropping his 18-footer for birdie.

Schwarzrock fell out of contention first with a three-putt on 17. Then Hammond saved par on the par-five 18th and waited for Gallagher and the playoff that never came.

The 42-year-old Hammond, whose other PGA Tour win came at the Bob Hope Classic in 1986, collected $72,000 for the victory Sunday.

Gallagher finished with a one-over 73 on Sunday, while Schwarzrock carded a four-under 68. Kalinowski, who birdied the 72nd hole to finish tied for second, posted a 70.

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