GOLF ROUNDUP : Knox Wins in Front of Home Fans

Kenny Knox, who was born and reared in Columbus, Ga., dropped a 12-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole Sunday to defeat Jim Hallet and win the Southern Open in his home city.

Hallet missed a 20-foot birdie putt before Knox sank his putt to win for the third time in eight years on the PGA Tour.

The two were tied for the lead after three rounds with David Peoples and both shot final-round four-under-par 66s.

“Somehow I knew I was going to win the golf tournament,” Knox said. “I didn’t know how, but I knew I would.”

Knox, who moved to Tallahassee, Fla., when he was 16 after spending his childhood in Columbus, won the Honda Classic in 1986 and Hardee’s Golf Classic in 1987. The $108,000 first prize raised his 1990 earnings to $204,560.

“I never wanted anything worse than this victory,” said Knox, who had family and friends on hand. “It means so much, especially with my family and friends to see me do it.”

Ian Woosnam, despite poor putting, won his second consecutive tournament title, taking the Grand Prix of Europe at Chepstow, Wales by three strokes.

Woosnam, winner of the World Match Play Championship a week ago, shot a one-over-par 72 on a rainy day to finish at 13-under 271. He won $125,000.

Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe, who closed with a 72, and Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain (69) tied for second at 274.

Mike Hill made up a seven-shot deficit by shooting an eight-under-par 64, then beat Dale Douglass on the first playoff hole to win the Senior PGA Tour’s Space Coast Classic at Melbourne, Fla.

Bob Charles led Douglass by six shots and Hill by seven with nine holes to play. But the left-handed pro from New Zealand let the tournament slip away with a double bogey at the easy 11th hole and a three-putt bogey at 15.

Hill had eight birdies without a bogey to finish 54 holes at 200, 16 under par. Douglass closed with a 67 to get a spot in the playoff.

Frank Miller, of Los Angeles, drove a golf ball 348 yards 14 inches to win the National Long Driving Championship at Boca Raton, Fla.