Steve Allan’s second victory of the Champions season was of the wire-to-wire fashion.
Allan shot a 6-under 66 on Sunday to finish in style as he recorded a four-stroke victory over Jason Caron in the Dick’s Open at Endicott, N.Y.
Allan, 51, shot 18-under 198 in his three trips around En-Joie Golf Club. He opened with a scorching 63 on Friday and followed with a 69 before protecting his lead on Sunday.
“It’s weird, not one of those things I ever thought that I would do,” Allan said of leading after each round. “Over the years I would get ahead of myself but I guess I’m improving at it. It was tough, it was tough even (Saturday) hanging in there.”
Allan’s first career Champions title was in March at the Galleri Classic by one shot over Tag Ridings.
This time, Allan won comfortably over Caron (68 on Sunday). Notah Begay III (67) and Boo Weekley (70) tied for third place, finishing five shots back at 13 under.
Allan recorded seven birdies, including a stretch of five in six holes between Nos. 8-13. His lone bogey came on No. 6.
“I think my putting really was great today,” Allan said. “That was the real difference maker because I hit the ball OK but the putts I holed are good solid putts on 11, 12 and 13. I mean, you could have easily missed all of those and you’re three shots worse and I’m tied for the lead and it’s a real battle, so that was huge.”
Caron had five birdies but his lone bogey of the round was costly. It came on the par-3, 17th and ended any chance of being the benefactor if Allan had stumbled late.
But Caron was pleased with a tourney in which he shot 68 or lower in each round.
“I played really solid today,” Caron said. “I putted the ball awesome all week, speed was like very, very good, and made some good putts. I didn’t drive it exceptionally well but my irons were pretty decent, too, so I can’t complain there. I think mentally I played solid all week.”
Begay made five birdies on the front nine. But he was unable to make a move on the back side as he posted nine straight pars.
Weekley was one shot back entering the day and birdied two of the first three holes. He bogeyed No. 7, but recovered by recording birdies on each of the next two holes.
But after a birdie on No. 12, he bogeyed 13 and 15 to fall out of contention.
Jeff Sluman (68), Australia’s Michael Wright (67) and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen (64) tied for fifth at 12-under.
Three-time defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland wasn’t on the grounds this week. He instead played at the Scottish Open.
–Field Level Media
