Irwin’s 65 Leads to a Major Victory

Hale Irwin has plenty of experience and a ton of confidence. Now, he has another major championship.

Irwin overcame a two-stroke deficit with a six-under-par 65 to win his second U.S. Senior Open in three years. He finished with a 17-under 267 Sunday, the lowest total in tournament history, surpassing Gary Player’s 270 in 1987.

“I never underestimate my opponent, but I never underestimate my talents,” said Irwin, a three-time U.S. Open winner. “There is room for more [championship trophies] in my house.”

Bruce Fleisher, who had led after the first three rounds, shot a 70 and finished at 270. He was seeking his 11th senior victory in two years.

“He proved he can play,” Irwin said of Fleisher. “He’s not a flash in the pan.”

The victory at Saucon Valley Country Club was worth $400,000 for Irwin. It was his third of the season and 28th as a senior. He moved within one victory of Lee Trevino for most wins on the Senior PGA Tour and now has 56 career victories worldwide.

Fleisher, a journeyman who won just once in 27 years on the regular tour, was seeking to become the third golfer to win the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Amateur titles. Fleisher, who won the U.S. Amateur in 1968, would have joined Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus in that elite group.

“You spell it E-X-P-E-R-I-E-N-C-E, you have to underline it . . .,” Irwin said. “You don’t go train for it. You don’t go buy some at the store. It’s immeasurable.

“For Bruce, each time out, it’s more experience. You can’t measure experience. I think Bruce learned a lot today.”

Irwin shot a third-round best 65 to get within two strokes of the lead. He wiped out the two-stroke deficit on No. 1, took a one-stroke lead on No. 4 and made it two strokes on No. 5.

“I did what I wanted to do early,” said Irwin, who birdied three straight on the front nine for a four-stroke turnaround. “I let Bruce know I’m there, and put pressure on him.”

Fleisher got in trouble on No. 1 when he sliced a drive into the right fairway bunker. He missed a six-foot par putt, and bogeyed the hole to share the lead as Irwin birdied with a five-footer.

Tom Kite shot a 69 to finish third with a 12-under 272. Raymond Floyd’s 67 put him fourth at 274. Hubert Green was next at 276 and was followed by Dave Stockton and Jim Thorpe at 277.

“Hale’s a good player and tough to beat,” Kite said. “It would’ve been interesting to see if one of us could’ve put some pressure on him.”

Irwin took the lead for good when he made a four-foot putt for birdie on No. 4 while Fleisher pushed a four-footer for birdie to the right.

A nice approach on the 5th set up a three-foot birdie for Irwin as he took a two-stroke lead.

Now the debate continues as to who is the best player on the senior tour.

“Statements are made and statements are forgotten,” Irwin said when asked if he was trying to prove his case.

“He’s the better player this week,” Fleisher said with a smirk.