Allenby coasts to three shot win

Robert Allenby found a new way to win -- avoid a playoff.

Never seriously threatened Sunday in the final round of the Pennsylvania Classic, Allenby carded a 4-under-par 68 for his second PGA Tour title of the season and fourth of his career.

Allenby took a three-shot lead into the final round at the weather-plagued event and never had it dwindle en route to the $594,000 top prize.

Titles have been commonplace for Allenby but claiming them in regulation has not. Each of his first three PGA Tour wins -- all since April 2000 -- came in playoffs, where he is 7-0 worldwide.

"I was waiting for this day, to win over here, I guess, in regulation," said Allenby, a 30-year-old Australian whose parents witnessed him win for the first time. "To win it by three shots is great."

Great was a good description for Allenby's game during the week. He said he had never played better tee-to-green.

"This is by far the best I've consistently, shot after shot, just peckering the flag every time," said Allenby, who began the week ranked 31st in the world.

Allenby also joined exclusive company, becoming the third tour member to win four titles in the past two seasons. The others are Tiger Woods (14) and Phil Mickelson (6).

It's that kind of company that has Allenby thinking he can win a major title sooner than later. He is in his third full season on the PGA Tour.

"I can only work from this week and take it into upcoming tournaments and majors," said Allenby, who surpassed $2 million in earnings. "But I know I'm good enough to win a major, absolutely."

After bogeying the 72nd hole for a 19-under 269, Allenby was greeted by golf legend Arnold Palmer, a Pennsylvania native who was responsible for bringing a PGA Tour event to the Laurel Valley Golf Club.

Palmer played the first two days -- the second as a marker after withdrawing -- before handing the torch to local favorite and Laurel Valley member Rocco Mediate.

"It was fun," said Mediate, who played in front of throngs of fans and family members. "It was fun playing in front of everybody. A little more difficult than I thought, but it was fun."

Former Masters champion Larry Mize matched the second-lowest round of the day with a 7-under 65 and tied Mediate for second place at 16-under 272.

"I haven't played very well, and so having a tournament like this was great," said Mize, who is winless since 1993.

Kevin Sutherland was alone in fourth at 273, one stroke better than Nick Price of Zimbabwe.

Eleven players were forced to return to the course Sunday morning to complete their third rounds after rain and fog hampered play over the first three days of the event.

Allenby was one of them. He played the final three holes of his third round and took a three-shot lead over Mediate into the final 18 holes.

The lead never fell below three shots as Allenby birdied two of his first six holes. After a bogey at the par-4 eighth, he made three straight birdies, including a 30-foot putt at the 10th.

"It was very important that I holed those and made, not so much east birdies, but made some good birdies and to keep me in good stead for the last six or seven holes," Allenby said.

The birdie run gave Allenby a four-shot lead over Mediate and Mize. The two never got within two strokes the rest of the day.

"I was fortunate enough that no one made a big charge," Allenby said. "But at the same time, I think I played well enough to really take control of the tournament."

Even with the cushion, Allenby had a bit of a scare at the 12th and 13th holes, where he got up-and-down from the fairway to save par. His second save came from the trees.

Allenby said the par saves stood out more than the three consecutive birdies, "because under those circumstances and the pressure and coming down the back nine, you know ...

"The tournament does not begin until the back nine. Doesn't matter if it's a major or a normal tour event."

This wasn't a normal tour event. It was the first on the PGA Tour since the terrorist attacks in the United States last Tuesday canceled a pair of tournaments.

While admitting that golf still doesn't seem important, Allenby said everyone has to move on with their lives. He has done so and is happy about it.

"There's not doubt about it; this tournament was important to me," said Allenby, who took his mind off the tragedies Thursday by celebrating his son's second birthday. "I'm over the moon that I won this tournament."

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