Quigley defeats Watson in playoff

Going extra holes Sunday at the MasterCard Championship played right into Dana Quigley's hands.

``It's well-documented that I play all winter at home, so I always come in here with no rust,'' Quigley said. ``I have a built-in advantage.''

Quigley used that advantage to the fullest at Hualalai Golf Club when he made a 3-foot par putt on the third playoff hole and beat a faltering Tom Watson to capture the season-opening event on the Champions Tour for the second time in three years.

The 57-year-old Quigley plays 36-45 holes a day at home in West Palm Beach, Fla., during the offseason. His ninth Champions Tour title came in his 249th consecutive start, a record, and his 263rd in a row for which he was eligible.

``Golf is a lot of fun for me,'' said Quigley, who collected $272,000 and improved his playoff record to 2-2. ``It's not only my job, but it's my enjoyment, and it's my passion, and there isn't a thing in this world I would rather do.''

Watson, who led after the first two rounds, opened the door for Quigley to close out the tournament when he made a bogey after hitting a 7-iron into the lava behind the 17th green.

Quigley, who also missed the green long, putted past the hole and made the comeback attempt. He closed with a 6-under 66, but his three-putt from the fringe on the final hole of regulation allowed Watson to move into a tie at 18-under 198. Quigley missed his second putt from 5 feet.

``I mis-clubbed at 17,'' said Watson, who fell to 1-7 in playoffs on the Champions Tour. ``I didn't play very well today. My nerves got to me a little bit, but I have no excuses. It was a great round by Dana. He's played a lot more golf than I have over the last six years.''

Watson started the round with a three-stroke lead, but missed two 4-foot putts for par on the back nine for his only two bogeys in regulation, closing with a 2-under 70.

Quigley won for the first time since taking the season-opener here two years ago. He finished second to Fuzzy Zoeller last year.

Beginning the day four strokes behind Watson, Quigley took the lead with a birdie at the par-5, 14th hole after a wedge to 15 feet, while Watson made his second bogey of the week at the 13th, failing to get up-and-down from just off the green.

Watson birdied the following hole from 20 feet, but Quigley answered with a birdie from 6 inches at the 15th after a brilliant 4-iron to regain his one-stroke advantage. That held up until he faltered at No. 18.

Watson could have won in regulation, but missed a 9-foot birdie putt.

Watson and Quigley halved the first two playoff holes with pars. Quigley ended it at the 17th. Watson saved par with a chip and 4-foot putt on the first, No. 18, and converted from 5 feet on the next hole, the 16th. Quigley had an 18-footer to win on the second extra hole, but rammed it 7 feet by before making the comeback try.

Hale Irwin birdied the 18th to cap his second consecutive 65 and finished in a tie for third with Gil Morgan at 17-under 199. Morgan got within one of the lead after 10 holes, but couldn't keep up the pace, finishing with a 67.

Mark McNulty (67) and Wayne Levi (71) shared fifth place at 202.

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