David Graham
had four straight birdies on the front side Sunday, taking the lead for good and
never relinquishing it as he established a tournament record in winning the Raley's
Gold Rush Classic.
Graham, who won $165,000, shot a 7-under 65 at Serrano Country Club, winning by
four strokes and compiling a 54-hole total of 17-under 199. Bob Charles had the
old mark at Rancho Murieta Country Club, finishing at 201 in 1992.
Larry Mowry, who will retire
after this season, shot a 67 and finished second.
Second-round leader Allen Doyle never got going, shooting a 72 and finishing with
a group of four players at 12 under. Also finishing at 202 were J.C. Snead (65),
George Archer (66) and Terry Dill (67). Tom Jenkins (67) was six shots behind
Graham.
Graham
hadn't won a tournament since outlasting Dave Stockton in a 10-hole playoff last
year at the Royal Caribbean Classic. This victory was much easier.
The Australia native opened the tournament by tying the course record with a 9-under
63. He faltered in the second round, shooting a 71 and entered the final day trailing
Doyle by two strokes.
Doyle lost the lead for good when Graham birdied No. 5. It was the start of a
birdie run for Graham, who moved three shots in front of Doyle after eight holes.
Last year's tournament
champion, Dana Quigley, shot an 8-under 64 to finish in a tie for ninth with John
Bland (67). Quigley matched last year's final-round score when he came from behind
to win by three strokes.
Raymond Floyd shot a 71 for a 208, while Gary Player (71) and Charles (73) both
finished at 212.
Divots:
Mowry had an eagle on the par-5 14th after hitting the cart path with his drive.
... Tour money leader Bruce Fleisher was never in serious contention, shooting
a final-round 70 and finishing at 208. ... Miller Barber, who has played in all
12 Raley's tournaments, finished at 219, shooting a 70 in the last round.
