Bruce Fleisher
tied the Senior PGA Tour rookie record with his seventh victory of the year, beating
Allen Doyle by one stroke today to win the Kaanapali Classic.
Fleisher had a 4-under-par 67 in the final round for a 14-under 199 total and
the winner's purse of $150,000 extended his lead on the money list and put him
at $2,288,005.
His
seven victories matches the record set by Bruce Crampton in 1986 and matched by
Lee Trevino in 1990.
"This
is a year I'll remember for a long time," said Fleisher, who won once in over
400 starts on the PGA Tour. "I'd love to break the record, if it's possible with
two tournaments to go."
Doyle shot a 66 today at the 6,590-yard Kaanapali North Course on Maui Island
and finished three strokes in front of Steve Veriato (64), Jim Ahern (65), Hale
Irwin (66) and Tom Jenkins (70).
"You
can't give Bruce two strokes," said Doyle, a four-time winner this year who finished
second to Fleisher for the third time. "We need to reverse it."
Irwin, the tour's money champion the last two years, is second on the list with
Doyle third.
"Bruce
is playing well and Allen is playing well," Irwin said.
Irwin trails Fleisher by $311,183 with two tournaments remaining, including the
Senior Tour Championship, worth $300,000 to the winner.
"I'm
still in running for that top number one, but this (victory) one certainly helps,"
Fleisher said.
"Allen
played terrific today. We were neck and neck."
Playing together in the final group, Doyle tied Fleisher three times with birdies
at 5, 8 and 14, the last to go 13 under.
Fleisher made a 12-footer for a birdie at the par-4 16th to go ahead to stay.
Doyle missed a birdie opportunity from 6 feet at the par-3 17th that would have
tied Fleisher again.
"Allen
probably wins the tournament if he makes that putt," Fleisher said. "It would
have made 18 really interesting."
Hubert Green bogeyed No. 18 to close with a 64 and finished at 204 with John Jacobs
and Brian Barnes.
Kermit Zarley posted the day's best round, an 8-under 63, and finished at 205.
