GOLF ROUNDUP : Persistent Hulbert Gains Victory in Playoff

Mike Hulbert overcame four strokes in penalties in two days, made up four strokes on the final day and defeated Davis Love III in a playoff to win the Kapalua Open at Hawaii Saturday.

Hulbert shot a closing five-under-par 68 to catch Love (72) at 16-under 276.

After Love missed a six-foot birdie attempt on the playoff hole, No. 18, Hulbert won it with a five-foot birdie.

Love started the day with a four-shot advantage over Hulbert and Jim Hallet.

Andy Bean, Greg Norman and Steve Pate tied for third at 281. Bean had a closing 67 on the strength of a double eagle at the par-five, 663-yard 18th. His second shot with a six-iron found the cup from 240 yards away.

Hulbert mounted his winning charge after he got past the 12th hole, which had been a two-day nightmare for him. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty Friday for moving a piece of grass from in front of his ball before hitting his second shot.

On Saturday, Hulbert hit his drive deep into high grass and stepped on it while trying to find it. That cost him a stroke, then he took another when he declared it an unplayable lie.

Mike Hill and Miller Barber paired for a 10-under 62 to defeat a Japan’s Hisashi Suzumura and Teruo Suzumura by 11 shots to help the United States extend its lead to 13-3 through two rounds of the Du Pont Cup senior team matches at Sawara, Japan.

Other U.S. victories in the better-ball competition were posted by the teams of Al Geiberger and Jim Dent; and George Archer and Rocky Thompson.