Golf Roundup : Woosnam Wins $1 Million Prize

Ian Woosnam of Wales won the biggest prize in golf history Sunday, clinching the winner-take-all Million Dollar Challenge with an eagle on the 17th hole at Sun City, South Africa.

Woosnam earned the $1 million prize by shooting a 4-under-par 68 for a four-round total of 274, 14-under par. That tied the tournament record. He finished four strokes ahead of Nick Faldo of Britain.

Faldo, who was Woosnam’s playing partner, trailed by one shot after 13 holes but bogeyed the 14th to drop two behind.

Faldo still had a chance to win going into the par-4 17th, but Woosnam holed a shot of 165 yards with a 7-iron to clinch the victory.

“I hit the ball straight at the flag and knew it was going to be good,” Woosnam said. “I couldn’t see the bottom of the flag, so it was only the wild reaction of the crowd that told me the ball had gone in.”

Faldo, who shot a 71, shook his hand as they met on the green, acknowledging defeat.

David Frost of South Africa was third in the eight-man field at 280.

Fulton Allem, the unheralded South African who led after each of the first two rounds, shot a 74 to finish in a tie for fourth with Curtis Strange and Jose-Maria Olazabal of Spain at 283.

Bernhard Langer of West Germany was seventh at 285 and Lanny Wadkins was last at 290.

Under a new format, the only prizes were the winner’s check and daily bonuses of $50,000 for the lowest round--which Woosnam won Sunday.

Jane Crafter chipped in two 40-foot-plus birdies and sank two 30-foot birdie putts to lead her team to victory in the $650,000 Mixed Team Golf tournament at Largo, Fla.

Crafter, 31, from Australia, teamed with Steve Jones, a 28-year-old PGA tour player from Phoenix, to post a final round 68 and a 72-hole total of 20-under-par 268. Each earned $65,000.

Jones, a former LPGA caddie, was playing in the event for the first time.

Crafter and Jones finished two strokes ahead of third-round leaders Mark McCumber and Debbie Massey, who struggled to a final round 71 to finish at 270 and earn $38,000 each.

Doug Tewell and Betsy King led at one point but three-putted the 17th and 18th holes for bogeys, finishing with a 68 and 271. They tied for third with Morris Hatalsky and Donna White.

Denis Watson and Muffin Spencer-Devlin, and Bill Kratzert and Cathy Gerring tied at 272.