Western Open Golf : McCumber Doesn’t Take Long to Defeat Jacobsen in Playoff

It took Mark McCumber longer to get ready for Monday’s sudden-death playoff at the Western Open than it did for him to win it.

McCumber, who took an hour of treatment for his ailing back before teeing off, defeated Peter Jacobsen on the first extra hole to win the $1-million tournament. McCumber made a routine par-4 and Jacobsen--who lost last year’s Western Open with a double bogey on the 72nd hole--three-putted from 40 feet, with his short par putt curling out of the cup.

It was McCumber’s first tour playoff victory, his second Western Open win and the seventh victory of his PGA career. He earned $180,000; Jacobsen went home with $108,000.

But the money was little consolation to Jacobsen, who had said all week that his goal was to win this year and make up for last year, when he lost to Jim Benepe after shooting a six on the final hole.

Jacobsen refused to be interviewed and left quickly for Normal, Ill., where he, D.A. Weibring and Chicago Bull Coach Doug Collins were to play in an exhibition to raise money for the Illinois State sports program.

The playoff had to be carried over until Monday because darkness set in after the two players finished at 13-under-par 275 for 72 holes Sunday in a round delayed 3 1/2 hours by rain. Both players agreed that it was too dark to continue.

“Obviously, I’m tickled to win,” McCumber said, “but I have mixed emotions. Peter is a good friend and I hated to see his putt lip out. I really thought I made my putt and won the Western with a birdie.”