Irwin Takes a Cruise in Bahamas and Wins by Six Strokes With a 67

Veteran Hale Irwin shot a 67 and scored a runaway six-stroke victory in the Bahamas tournament Sunday.

“In a tournament like this, you’re playing for two things,” the 40-year-old Irwin said. “There’s the money, of course, and you’re looking for a good, solid, positive start to the season.”

Irwin got both.

His 19-under-par total of 269 on the Paradise Island Golf Club course, was worth $72,000 from the total purse of $300,000.

The tournament, being played for the first time, is an approved PGA Tour event, but is not classified as official and the prize money is not counted on the money-winning list. But it served as a major confidence builder and stamped Irwin, winner of 17 American tour titles and two U.S. Opens, as a factor to be considered in next week’s Tournament of Champions at La Costa, the first official event on the 1986 tour schedule.

“Getting off to a start like this, it just sets up your whole season for you,” Irwin said. “It seems to make everything easier.”

Donnie Hammond, never really in the title chase, shot a final-round 66 and claimed second place, worth $42,000, with a 275 total.

Rookie Davis Love III was in third place in his first professional start. He won $24,000 after a final-round 70 and a 276 total.

Scott Hoch, who started the final round in a tie for the lead, slipped to a 75 and was at 277. Jeff Sluman was next at 72-278.