Morgan’s Bankbook Gets a Major Boost

Gil Morgan, continuing his domination of the Senior PGA Tour, shot a two-under-par 70 on Sunday to win The Tradition at Desert Mountain for the second year in a row.

Morgan, who started the round at Scottsdale, Ariz., two shots behind Tom Wargo, finished at 12-under 276, marking his third win in 10 senior events this year. He also won the Senior Slam in March.

The win, in the first of four senior majors, was worth $210,000 and brought Morgan’s earnings to a tour-leading $674,580 this season.

It was Morgan’s fifth win in his last 10 tournaments. Including the Senior Slam, he has won 11 events and more than $3 million in less than two senior seasons.

Wargo, who held the lead after each of the first three rounds, struggled to a 74 and finished two shots back. He still received the biggest paycheck of his career, $123,200.

Wargo, who had made only two bogeys in the first three rounds, had four bogeys and a double bogey Sunday. He was still holding a two-shot lead through six holes, but double-bogeyed the par-three seventh when he hit his tee shot over the green into the water.

“I’m making bogeys and he’s making birdies--that’s a hard combination to stop,” Wargo said. “The putter turned cold and that was it.”

*

Lee Westwood, the 24-year-old British phenom who turned pro five years ago, added his first U.S. victory to a string of international titles.

Westwood shot a four-round total of 273 for a three-stroke victory and the $306,000 winner’s share of the $1.7-million Freeport-McDermott Classic at New Orleans.

Westwood’s final-round 69 on the 7,116-yard, par-72 English Turn course he saw for the first time on Tuesday was his sixth consecutive round in the 60s, dating to the third round of The Players Championship. His scores for the week were 69, 68, 67 and 69.

Steve Flesch, a left-handed rookie who led after two rounds and was one stroke back to start the day, shot par 72 to finish at 12 under in second place. Flesch was three strokes ahead of first-round leader Glen Day, Jim Carter, Mark Wiebe and Steve Lowery.

Westwood is the first non-PGA Tour member and first sponsor’s exemption to win on the tour since Tiger Woods did it at the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational.

*

Donna Andrews birdied three of the final five holes to beat Carin Koch by one stroke at the third Longs Drugs Challenge.

Andrews, who began the final day tied for the lead with Koch and played with her in the final twosome, shot a three-under 69 for her fourth consecutive subpar round. She finished with a 72-hole total of 10-under 278 at Twelve Bridges Golf Club in Lincoln, Calif.