Golf Roundup : Stewart Wins Going Away and Sets a Course Record

Payne Stewart led by at least three shots throughout the final round Sunday at Hilton Head Island, S.C., and won the Heritage tournament by five strokes in a record 16-under par.

Stewart’s 25-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole virtually clinched his fourth career victory. It gave him a five-shot lead with three holes to play and he finished off a two-under-par 69 without difficulty.

Stewart, who led or shared the lead through all four rounds, finished with a 268, two shots better than the previous record of 270 set by Tom Watson in 1979 and matched by Nick Faldo in 1984.

Kenny Knox also set a record, using only 93 putts on the Harbour Town course’s small greens. That’s one better than the tour’s all-time record for 72 holes, set by George Archer on the same course in 1980.

The victory, Stewart’s first since the 1987 Bay Hill tournament, was worth $144,000 from the total purse of $800,000 and pushed his earnings for the year to $306,710, eighth on the season’s money-winning list.

Stewart, now in his ninth year on the PGA Tour, shared the lead with Kenny Perry over the first two rounds, then pulled away to a three-shot advantage when third-round play was halted by darkness Saturday night.

Stewart and Perry were among the 18 players who returned Sunday morning to complete third-round play. Stewart finished off a 67 and retained that three-shot margin when Perry slipped to a 70.

Perry shot a 71 to finish second, his career high, earning $86,400.

Don Bies shot a bogey-free final round of six-under-par 66 to beat Gary Player by one shot and win the $600,000 Tradition Senior PGA tournament at Scottsdale, Ariz.

It was the fourth career tour title and second this month for the 51-year-old Bies. He won the Murata tournament on April 2.

Bies started the day in a three-way tie for second with Gene Littler and Bob Erickson--all one shot behind Player, who was at eight-under after three rounds.

He held on to finish with a 13-under 275 total and earn the $90,000 first-place check--the biggest of his 32-year professional career. It also pushed his all-time career winnings on the PGA and Seniors tours past the $1 million mark at $1,011,372.

British rookie Paul Broadhurst won the $360,000 Cannes Open without hitting a shot when rain canceled the final round.

It was Broadhurst’s first professional victory, earning him the first prize of $60,000.

Broadhurst, in only his eighth pro event, led throughout and held a one stroke lead over the field after three rounds.