Paul Goydos of Dove Canyon claimed his first victory on the Champions Tour by one stroke over Fred Funk and Scott Dunlap in the Pacific Links Hawaii Championship at Kapolei Golf Club in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii.
The 50-year-old from Long Beach State, making his fifth start on the senior circuit, followed scores of 66-63 with a 4-under-par 68 that included four consecutive birdies through No. 17 for a two-stroke lead, and survived a bogey on the final hole.
”I think I used what I’ve learned today,” said Goydos, whose last victory came in the 2007 Sony Open in Hawaii on the other side of Oahu. ”I’m making progress, which I’m pleased with. I didn’t play well on the PGA Tour this year. Happy I held it together. Handled adversity well.
”I love it over here. It’s a great place to play golf.”
Dunlap, coming off a victory in the Boeing Classic last month and a runner-up finish two weeks ago in the Quebec Championship, finished with a 65 that included eight birdies.
Funk, who has won nine times on the Champions Tour including the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf team event with Jeff Sluman in June, made a hole in one with a hybrid club from 200 yards on the 16th hole club to tie for the lead in a final-round 69.
However, Goydos moved back ahead with his birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.
Russ Cochran finished fourth after a 66, followed by Jeff Maggert, who shot 67, and Wes Short Jr. who totaled 68.
Tom Pernice Jr. of UCLA, who opened with a 60, came in with a 70 to tie for seventh with Doug Garwood of Valencia (70), Corey Pavin of Oxnard and UCLA (71), Mark Brooks (68) and Jay Haas (68).
