Jay Sigel wins by two

Jay Sigel won for the first time since having surgery on both shoulders, shooting a 5-under 67 Sunday for a two-stroke victory over Morris Hatalsky in the Farmers Charity Classic.

Sigel, winning for the first time in 94 starts since the 1998 EMC Kaanapaili Classic, had two eagles in the final round en route to a 13-under 203 total on the Egypt Valley course. The 58-year-old Sigel earned $225,000 for his seventh Senior PGA Tour title.

``This has to be my best victory on the senior tour,'' Sigel said. ``I wasn't feeling well this week and I haven't been putting well. It's just amazing.''

Hatalsky, a Monday qualifier, closed with a 68. Australia's Rodger Davis (70) finished three strokes back at 206, and Jim Thorpe (69), Tom Wargo (69) and Wayne Levi (69) followed at 207.

Sigel, the 1982 and 1983 U.S. Amateur champion, eagled the par-5 seventh hole to take the lead, and had another eagle on No. 17.

Rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders forced Sigel to miss the first five months of the 2001 season. He returned to play 18 events and finish 37th on the money list. His best finish this season had been a tie for 15th last weekend in the Instinet Classic.

``I had some excitement last week and a lot of excitement this week,'' Sigel said.

Hatalsky finished with consecutive birdies.

``Considering it's the first time I was in contention, I'd give myself some good marks,'' said Hatalsky, 50, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour who was playing his sixth senior event.

Gary Player shot a 70 to finish at 6-under 210. The 66-year-old Player is attempting to become the first golfer to win a PGA Tour-sponsored event in the United States in six decades.

Play was halted for a minute at 2 p.m. to honor Sam Snead, who died Thursday at age 89. Funeral services for Snead started at that hour in Hot Springs, Va.

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