Hoch uses run of birdies to victory

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Scott Hoch was trailing by three shots with eight holes to play, so he simply went back to basics.

The decision paid off. Hoch birdied five of the last eight holes for a one-shot victory in the Allianz Championship on Sunday.

After a bogey on the 10th hole, Hoch knocked in birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 15, 17 and 18 to finish the tournament at 14-under-par 202, one shot better than Brad Bryant and Bruce Lietzke. It was Hoch’s second win since joining the Champions Tour in 2006.

“It wasn’t looking good today,” said Hoch, who shot a four-under 68 on Sunday. “I just went back to basics instead of hitting shots according to conditions.”

Bryant was the leader in the clubhouse after shooting a six-under 66, the best round of the day in windy conditions at the Old Course at Broken Sound. He started four shots behind second-round leader Jerry Pate, who was bidding to win his second straight Champions title.