Slocum Learns From the Past

A couple of tantalizing near misses taught Heath Slocum something about finishing a tournament.

The lessons came in handy Sunday when Slocum won a showdown involving two PGA Tour non-winners, parring the 18th hole for a one-shot victory over Aaron Baddeley at the Chrysler Classic of Tucson.

The 30-year-old Slocum carded a final-round seven-under-par 65, finishing at 22-under 266 -- the lowest score at Tucson National since Dave Frost’s 266 in 1988. The outcome turned on Slocum’s play on the difficult 18th hole, which Baddeley three-putted for bogey for the first time in the tournament.

In 2002, Slocum led the tournament after 54 holes but managed only par golf the last day. Months later, he led by a stroke at Hilton Head, S.C., with three holes to go before a double bogey dropped him behind winner Justin Leonard.

“I took the experience from two years ago, and from Hilton Head two years ago and from Milwaukee last year [tied for second],” Slocum said. “Coming down and just playing my game, and it worked out this time. It really felt good.”

Slocum earned his first title in 78 starts when the 22-year-old Baddeley missed a five-foot par putt that would have forced a playoff. The bogey -- Baddeley’s first since the second round -- left him with a 66.

“You don’t want to three-putt to lose,” said Baddeley, whose second shot on No. 18 stopped about 50 feet from the pin. “But I putted up a hill. It was into the grain, left to right, and it really wasn’t that slow. And then I hit a good putt on the way down, and it just didn’t go in.”

Slocum’s approach shot on the water-guarded, 465-yard finishing hole wound up 15 feet from the cup. The Louisiana native sent his first putt within tap-in range, holed out and stepped back to watch Baddeley.

Slocum, who led after two rounds and was tied with Baddeley at 15 under to start, smiled and hugged his caddie when play ended.

The $540,000 winner’s share gave Slocum, who was 80th on the money list, $640,604 in six events. His best previous finish this season was a tie for 14th at Phoenix.

Rory Sabbatini (64), Harrison Frazar (66) and Mark Hensby (68) finished four shots back, with Per-Ulrik Johansson (68) and Bill Glasson (68) at 271.

Mike Heinen, who played in the final threesome, bogeyed two of the last three holes for a 70, slipping into a tie with Tim Clark, Todd Fischer and Carlos Franco at 272.