Golf : Hallberg, Hoch Win Team Championship

Gary Hallberg and Scott Hoch, second-place finishers the last two years, played the final five holes in five-under par Sunday to rally from a two-shot deficit and win the $600,000 Chrysler Team Championship at Boca Raton, Fla.

Hallberg and Hoch’s four-day total of 37-under-par 251 broke the tournament record of 33 under, set in 1984 by Ron Streck and Phil Hancock. Mike Hulbert and Bob Tway, who led the tournament until the 17th hole Sunday, finished second at 36-under 252.

The winners, former Wake Forest teammates, split $140,000. Hulbert and Tway won $38,000 each.

Brad Faxon-Denny Hepler finished third at 33 under, and Clarence Rose-Tim Simpson and Jack Nicklaus-Jack Nicklaus II finished tied for fourth at 32-under 256.

Hallberg-Hoch shot a 9-under 63 Sunday, while Hulbert-Tway shot a 67, their highest round of the tournament.

Hallberg eagled No. 17 to give his team a two-shot lead. Hulbert birdied No. 17 to pull his team within one shot, but neither he nor Tway could sink birdie putts on the 18th hole. Hulbert was short from 30 feet, and Tway missed from 35 feet.

“It was one of those things,” Hallberg said of his 20-foot eagle putt. “I knew it was going to go in, and all I had to do was make sure I didn’t do anything crazy. It is unbelievable.”

Hallberg-Hoch lost in a five-team playoff won by Ray Floyd-Hal Sutton last year, and finished second to Streck and Hancock in 1984. Hallberg’s eagle a year ago on 17 put the team into the playoff.

“I always leave the eagles up to him,” Hoch said. “He’s made at least two on 17 on the last day.”

Tway and Hulbert failed to convert on several birdie opportunities.