Watson wins Tour Championship for 2nd time

Tom Watson, always comfortable in tough conditions, shot a soggy, 5-under 67 Sunday and beat Gil Morgan by two strokes to win the Senior Tour Championship.

Watson, who won this event in 2000, earned $440,000 for his victory of the year on the Senior PGA Tour.

The five-time British Open champion was 3 over after 20 holes, then played the last 52 in a bogey-free 17 under par to finish four rounds at Gaillardia Golf & Country Club at 14-under 274.

Morgan struggled down the stretch in a 69 that left him at 276, three strokes ahead of Bob Gilder, who closed with a 68.

Hale Irwin had a 71 and was fourth, seven strokes behind Watson, but he became the first senior golfer to win $3 million in one season.

In an effort to beat the rain, Sunday's tee times were moved up 2 hours and golfers went off the first and 10th tees. But after 30 minutes, rain caused play to be suspended for a little more than 2 hours.

Watson and Morgan started the day tied for the lead at 9 under. Playing together in cool, damp conditions, each made three birdies on the front nine to make the turn at minus 12.

Watson, a runner-up five times this year, moved into the lead on 13 when he rolled in a long birdie putt from the fringe.

Morgan hit every green in regulation until pushing his drives right on Nos. 14, 15 and 16. He scrambled for pars on the first two before making bogey on 16 to give Watson a two-stroke cushion.

On that hole, Morgan drove into thick rough, pitched out, then left his approach about 25 feet from the cup.

Watson widened his lead at 17 by making a birdie putt from about 10 feet, then made a routine par on the closing hole.

Irwin was the leader after 36 holes, but finished with rounds of 73 and 71.

"It's been a wonderful year, so many highlights," Irwin said. "The goal, obviously, was to win this tournament. When I didn't, the secondary goal was to get to the $3 million mark."

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