Hot Streak Continues for Jacobsen : Golf: Victory at Torrey Pines makes him only the fifth player in the last decade to win consecutive tournaments.

By DAN HAFNER

Feb. 13, 1995 12 AM PT

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

LA JOLLA — For many years, Peter Jacobsen was one of the most popular members of the PGA Tour. He could imitate the mannerisms and speech of the top golfers and was in demand as an emcee.

He was a pretty good golfer too. The former Oregon star won four tournaments and more than $2.5 million by 1990 in a career that began in 1977. But by the new decade, his career was fading and he seemed headed for the broadcast booth.

That has all changed. In proving life begins at 40, Jacobsen is the hottest player in golf.

He shot a second consecutive 68 on Sunday at Torrey Pines to win his second tournament in a row and continue the hottest streak of his life. Jacobsen was 19-under par and won the $1.2-million Buick Invitational of California by four shots with a 72-hole score of 269.

The amazing one-handed putter, Mike Hulbert, shared second place at 273 with Hal Sutton, Mark Calcavecchia and Mark Triplett.

Jacobsen has had six phenomenal rounds in a row, finishing up with a 66 and 65 to win at Pebble Beach in his first victory since the Hope in 1990. His first two rounds in La Jolla were 68-65.

In becoming only the fifth player in the last decade to win consecutive tournaments, he won about $450,000, more than he won in all but two of his previous 18 years. His total in the previous three years was a little more than $500,000.

Jacobsen, who led by three shots after 54 holes, predicted that someone would come out of the pack and challenge early as he did last week. He was right.

It was Hulbert, who elicited laughter by putting with only his right hand. Nobody’s laughing any more. Jacobsen thought it was great and gave Hulbert credit for shaking him up and sending him on the way to victory.

“I could hear people buzzing,” Hulbert said. “They were chuckling and so was I. But I am getting comfortable with one hand. I bet many will try it now.”

Hulbert trailed Jacobsen by four and was in the group ahead of him. When Hulbert birdied the first three holes and Jacobsen bogeyed No. 2, they were even.

“When I saw Mike sink the birdie putt on three I knew it was time to go to work,” Jacobsen said. “I birdied No. 3 and I was all right.”

On the first five holes, Hulbert was a one-armed bandit, needing only five putts, including birdies of 30, 10 and 12 feet. His first two-putt was from 60 feet for a birdie on six that put him four under for the day.

“I couldn’t keep it up,” Hulbert said. “But since a week ago Friday, when I made the switch after about 10 minutes of practice, I’ve been more satisfied all the time.”

Although Hulbert got him going, Jacobsen, after building a four-shot lead with birdies on 10 and 11, became a bit careless.

He drove into the rough on 12 and bogeyed. When Triplett birdied 13, the lead was only two strokes.

“A six-foot par putt on 14 kept the lead at two shots and straightened me out,” Jacobsen said. “I think I knew then that I would win the tournament. When I sank a six-footer on the next hole for a birdie, I was still on my high.”

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FINAL SCORES

Peter Jacobsen: 68-65-68-68--269

Mark Calcavecchia: 71-67-67-68--273

Mike Hulbert: 70-65-70-68--273

Kirk Triplett: 69-69-66-69--273

Hal Sutton: 67-69-68-69--273

Dillard Pruitt: 69-70-68-68--275

Dan Pohl: 65-74-66-70--275

David Ogrin: 66-69-74-67--276

Nolan Henke: 68-66-73-69--276

John Huston: 69-71-67-69--276