Couples Rides Faxon’s Bogey Run to Victory

Three consecutive birdies early on the front side gave Fred Couples a share of the lead, but it was Brad Faxon’s run of bogeys on the back side that opened the way for Couples to win the B.C. Open at Endicott, N.Y., Sunday.

Couples shot a four-under-par 68 for the second day in a row to finish the 72-hole tournament at 15-under 269, three shots ahead of Peter Jacobsen.

Couples, who moved into second place on the tour money list with his 10th consecutive round in the 60s, rebounded after two-putting from 5 feet for par on No. 2 with his three consecutive birdies.

Faxon, who held the lead after the second and third rounds, bogeyed 11, and 13 and then lost even second place with a double-bogeyed on the par-three 17th. Faxon hooked his tee shot into a boundary fence and had could only manage a five.

Yet another bogey on the final hole dropped Faxon into a tie for third with Blaine McCallister, the first-round leader, at 11 under par.

Couples, tuning up for next week’s Ryder Cup competition, earned $144,000 for his second victory of the season. He won the St. Jude tournament in June.