Fleisher Holds Off Quigley Challenge and Wins Again

Bruce Fleisher won his ninth Senior PGA Tour title in just over a year Sunday, closing with a two-under-par 69 for a four-stroke victory in the GTE Classic at Lutz, Fla.

“I’m struggling to believe that I’m doing what I’m doing,” said Fleisher, who had just one victory in 408 events on the PGA Tour. “Maybe I should be more confident now.”

Fleisher withstood a challenge from Dana Quigley, who cut a five-stroke deficit at the start of the round to just one with a birdie on No. 14. But a bogey on No. 15 and a double bogey on No. 18--after his tee shot went in the water--ended Quigley’s bid.

“He made a good fight of it today,” Fleisher said. “He didn’t make a bad shot until 15. With a five-shot lead, I struggled and I fought. I didn’t know whether to keep the pressure on or not.”

Fleisher, who earned $195,000, had a 13-under 200 total on the TPC of Tampa Bay. He is averaging $81,135 in 36 senior starts.

“I think he proved he’s still the sheriff in town,” said Quigley, who finished with a 68. “I applied a lot of pressure, but he was just better today.”

Fleisher had only one bogey in the tournament, on the fourth hole Sunday.

Hale Irwin (69) and Jim Dent (70) tied for third at six-under 207, and John Mahaffey (73) followed at 209.

Tom Watson tied for eighth at 211, defeating two high-profile senior newcomers in the field. Tom Kite (214) tied for 20th and Lanny Wadkins (218) tied for 40th.

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Karrie Webb won the Australian Women’s Open at Melbourne, shooting a course-record nine-under-par 64 for a three-stroke victory over Rachel Hetherington.

Webb, the 25-year-old Australian star who won the LPGA Tour’s season-opening tournament in January, had a 22-under-par 270 on the Yarra Yarra course.

Hetherington, also a top player on the U.S. tour, finished with a 65. England’s Laura Davies, coming off a victory last week in the Los Angeles Women’s Championship, shot a 66 to finish third at 275.