Fleisher Makes the Most of Irwin’s Errors

Bruce Fleisher took advantage of a two-shot swing on the 17th hole and edged Hale Irwin for a one-shot victory in the Verizon Classic on Sunday.

Fleisher shot a four-under-par 67 in the final round to finish at eight-under 205 in Lutz, Fla. Irwin, who began the day with a one-shot lead, shot 69 to finish at seven under.

Irwin, who has 36 wins as a senior, led by one shot when the final group went to the 213-yard par-three 17th. But he put his tee shot 20 feet right of the pin, and Fleisher followed by getting his ball within seven feet.

Irwin then hit his first putt five feet past the hole and missed the comebacker. Fleisher made his seven-footer for birdie and the lead.

“It’s hard to believe,” Fleisher said. “I think when you beat Hale, it’s a little more satisfying than just actually winning. We all know that he’s the best out here. I’ve said that all along. He just doesn’t let up. He doesn’t make mistakes. He did on 17, which is rare. He opened the door for me big time.”

Irwin also had an opportunity to force a playoff with a 13-foot putt for birdie on the final hole, but his shot rolled to a halt at the edge of the cup.

“I three-putted 17. I had a birdie putt then ended up three-putting,” Irwin said. “That’s horrible. Absolutely horrible.”

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Laura Davies won her third ANZ Ladies Masters title at Gold Coast, Australia, taking advantage of Karrie Webb’s final-hole bogey for a one-stroke victory.

Davies made a 12-foot par putt on No. 18 for a four-under 68 and a 13-under-par 203 total in the rain-shortened tournament. Davies also won in 1993 and 1994 and has 65 international victories.

Webb, second the last two years after winning the event four consecutive years, shot a 70 to tie for second with Rebecca Stevenson, who shot a 68.