After Six Years, Daly’s Persistence Rewarded

John Daly proved he could win on his own terms.

Tired of being told how to live, he walked out of a rehabilitation clinic two years ago and found himself at a critical juncture in his turbulent career.

Redemption came Sunday at the BMW International Open in Munich, Germany, where Daly won for the first time in six years.

“I’m sure a lot of people gave up on me, but I hadn’t,” Daly said. “I’m a fighter.”

Tied with Padraig Harrington going to the 72nd hole, Daly took advantage of his power with a massive drive that set up an easy birdie and his first victory since winning the British Open in a playoff at St. Andrews in 1995.

It was one of the strongest performances of his career, capped off by a 6-under 66 that enabled Daly to tie a European tour record of 261 set by Jerry Anderson in the 1984 European Masters.

Harrington, who had a one-stroke lead over Daly going into the final round, tried to reach the par-5 18th hole with his second shot. Instead, his 3-wood went into the water and he had to get up-and-down for par.

Daly was just off the green, chipped to two feet and tapped in for birdie to claim the $270,000 first prize, the largest paycheck of his career.

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Joel Edwards erased 11 years of doubt in an impressive way.

Edwards shot a 6-under-par 65 in the final round to win the Air Canada Championship by seven strokes at Surrey, British Columbia.

“It’s a moment in your life when all the doubt there is just washed away,” Edwards said after collecting $612,000 to nearly double his season earnings. “It’s something you think about for a long, long time. I started when I was 14 and I’ve been playing for 25 years and I’ve always dreamed of this.”

In 11 years on the PGA Tour, the 39-year-old from Irving, Texas, had never led after 54 holes, let alone win. His best career finish was a tie for second at the 1992 B.C. Open, and this year he had done no better than fifth at the Honda Classic in March.

That all changed with four straight birdies on the back nine Sunday. His 19-under matched a tournament record.

“Those four in a row were just huge,” said Edwards, the fifth first-time winner in the six-year history of the tournament. “When you get nervous you just want to be as aggressive as possible. I felt comfortable with every club in my bag and I knew I was just playing well.”

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Kate Golden edged Annika Sorenstam to win her first LPGA Tour title, shooting a nine-under 63, to overcome a six-stroke deficit in the State Farm Classic at Springfield, Ill.

Golden’s career-best 63 gave her a 21-under 267, four strokes better than the previous tournament record.

“My knees started shaking on the 15th tee, and they haven’t stopped yet,” she said.

Sorenstam closed with a 70 to finish a stroke back. She missed a 14-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have forced a playoff.

“To win her first event the way she won it, she played spectacular,” Sorenstam said. “I don’t think I gave it to her. I think she won it.”

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Jim Thorpe eagled the par-five 18th, then came back and made a one-foot birdie putt on the same hole to defeat Tom Jenkins in a one-hole playoff in the Kroger Senior Classic at Mason, Ohio.

Jenkins shot a seven-under 63, in the final round, and Thorpe matched his first-day 65 to finish at 10-under 130 in the tournament that was shortened to 36 holes because of rain Friday.