Good Doctor Caps Good Year

George Archer has this vision about Gil Morgan, the non-practicing Oklahoma optometrist. He sees Morgan as the dominant player on the Senior PGA Tour next year.

“George has always been a pretty smart player,” Morgan said.

Of course, if it weren’t for Hale Irwin, Morgan would have been the dominant player this year. Still, it’s been perfectly wonderful for Morgan, who collected his fifth tournament title of the year Sunday with a one-shot victory over Archer in the Ralphs Senior Classic.

Morgan, whose personality is as dry as an Oklahoma sidewalk in August, produced a closing round of 65 at Wilshire Country Club that was absolutely flamboyant.

He birdied the second hole after bouncing his tee shot off a fan and reached the green after spending more time around the trees than a forest ranger.

He birdied the 10th hole after hitting the flagstick on one bounce.

He safely two-putted from 10 feet on the No. 18 to protect his one-shot lead and win $150,000.

He managed to contain his enthusiasm afterward.

“I feel like I’ve had a good year,” he said.

Only if five victories and $1.8 million in prize money mean anything. Of course, Irwin has won nine tournaments and $2.1 million, so Irwin’s got him beat in the good year department.

“Hale’s had such a great year, he’s made my year look like second place,” Morgan said.

Exactly like second place, as it turns out: second in victories, second in prize money.

One place Morgan is in first place would be Los Angeles. If Morgan were any more at home here, he would have to start paying taxes. He has won four times here at three venues--the Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open at Riviera in 1978 and at Rancho Park in 1983, then last year’s Ralphs tournament at Wilshire.

“Can we schedule more events here?” Morgan asked.

Irwin, who said he is ready for the season to end, played like it. Irwin’s 73 was his worst round in weeks. He tied for ninth at five-under 205.

Archer’s 64 was his best round in more than two years, since right before he had hip-replacement surgery. After he three-putted No. 1 for bogey, Archer was nearly flawless. He birdied eight of the last 15 holes, including a curling 20-footer on No. 8, a 25-footer on No. 13 and another 25-footer on No. 17.

Archer birdied all four of the par-three holes.

“I like those twos,” he said. “They’re better than sixes.”

Well, yes, they are. They’re also better than having surgery, which Archer has done seven times. Counting the steel rods in his back, Archer has more metal in him than some construction projects.

Jimmy Powell’s 68 vaulted him into third place at 10-under 203. Larry Nelson finally convinced some putts to drop and finished with a 67 that earned him fourth place at 204.

Jim Colbert, the third-round leader, wasn’t as fortunate. In only his third tournament since coming back from prostate cancer, Colbert wilted to a 75 and finished seven shots back.

The turning point was at No. 10, where Nelson made birdie and Colbert made bogey after driving into the bunker.

“I tell you, I broke out in a cold sweat,” Colbert said. “It was such a letdown. I didn’t have anything left.”

Golf Notes

Chi Chi Rodriguez went back to his regular putter and stuck his short, 27-inch putter back in his bag. “I’m going to give it to Tattoo,” he said. . . . George Archer birdied the fifth hole, but couldn’t remember how. “Welcome to the Senior Tour,” he said. . . . Besides Gil Morgan, other big winners included Jimmy Powell and Hubert Green, who moved into the top 30 on the money list and are thus eligible to play in the $1.7-million Tour Championship. Bob Dickson, who had a 79 and lost his spot, finishing $2,080 behind Green. J.C. Snead also fell out with a 76. Bob Duval, who didn’t qualify for the Ralphs, held on to the last spot anyway.

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Finish Line

The top five scores at the $1-million Ralphs Senior Classic:

$150,000 (-15)

Gil Morgan: 67-66-65--198

$88,000 (-14)

George Archer: 67-68-64--199

$72,000 (-10)

Jimmy Powell: 68-67-68--203

$60,000 (-9)

Larry Nelson: 66-71-67--204

$48,000 (-8)

Jim Colbert: 65-65-75--205

Complete Scores C13