Zoeller’s Bid for 59 Takes a TV Twist

Sometimes, television is simply too intrusive. For example, take what happened during the final round of the Champions Tour Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at Lutz, Fla., Sunday.

Fuzzy Zoeller was flirting with a 59, needing a birdie on 18. But after his tee shot, he was joined on the course by the Golf Channel’s Mark Lye for an interview. Zoeller hit his 147-yard approach shot to the right of the green and ended up with a bogey on the hole and a 61.

Lye later told Bob Berger on the Sporting News radio network that normally he wouldn’t interview a golfer in a situation like that, but the Champions Tour is encouraging such things in an effort to attract more viewers.

Zoeller did not blame Lye for his misfortune on his second shot. “I used the wrong club,” Zoeller said. “I should have used a pitching wedge or a nine-iron and eliminated the fringe.”

Zoeller, who began the day nine shots off the lead, made 11 birdies and finished tied for third with Tom Purtzer at 11-under-par 202.

-- Larry Stewart

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Mark McNulty, meanwhile, became the 11th player to win in his first start on the Champions Tour, shooting a three-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Larry Nelson.

McNulty had a three-shot lead when he arrived at the 18th hole and made a bogey while Nelson birdied. McNulty finished at 200.

McNulty twice postponed his planned debut on the tour for players over 50 because of a bout with shingles five weeks ago.

Associated Press