Craig Stadler gains fourth win of 2003

Craig Stadler is having plenty of success -- and fun -- on the Champions Tour.

Stadler shot a 4-under 67 Sunday for a four-stroke victory over Bob Gilder at the $1.5 million SBC Championship, his third Champions Tour victory of the year and fourth overall.

Stadler finished at 15-under 198, and his four-stroke margin was the largest in tournament history. He also won the Ford Senior Players Championship and the Greater Hickory Classic. In July, he won the B.C. Open on the PGA Tour.

He hasn't experienced this kind of success since 1982, when he won four Tour events, including The Masters.

"I probably had more confidence in 1982 than I do now," Stadler said. "That was a magical year. Winning breeds winning. The more you win, the more you expect to be there. It's fun now, that's for sure."

The victory gave Stadler 225 points in the race for the Charles Schwab Cup, moving him into fourth place.

Stadler is the only player on the Champions Tour to have three victories this season. Bruce Lietzke, Tom Watson and Hale Irwin each have two.

Stadler had an eagle, three birdies and a bogey in Sunday's final round on the 6,661-yard course at Oak Hills Country Club, and picked up the $225,000 first-place check.

"I struggled with my driver all week, but I seemed to hit it right square on the club face on the hard holes," he said.

"I kind of kept it mistake free until the end. The eagle at 10 was a boost. I made virtually made all of my putts within 6 feet this week."

Gilder, runner-up for the third year in a row, shot a 2-under 69 in the final round to finish at 11 under.

"I didn't quite have it today," Gilder said. "I could not birdie a par-5. I had it in perfect position in all of them. He's (Stadler) really on his game right now and I'm not."

Allen Doyle (66) was another two shots back in third. Defending champion Dana Quigley shot final-round 4-under 67 to finish at 3-under 210.

Tom Kite and Irwin each closed with a 67 and joined Fuzzy Zoeller (68), Walter Hall (69) and Watson (69) at 8-under 205.

Arnold Palmer shot his age Sunday, a 3-over 74 for a 12-over 225

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