Triplett’s Win a Surprise

Kirk Triplett was nowhere near the leaderboard through two rounds at the Chrysler Classic of Tucson. Yet when it was over, it was Triplett hoisting the golden conquistador helmet and celebrating his first PGA Tour victory in three seasons.

“It just came out of nowhere,” he said.

Triplett opened his final round Sunday with five straight birdies and added another four in a row over the back nine, shooting a 63 to earn his third PGA Tour victory and first since the 2003 Reno-Tahoe Open.

With a 22-under 266, Triplett finished a shot ahead of Jerry Kelly. Duffy Waldorf, the second- and third-round leader, shot 72 and tied for third at 19 under with Bubba Watson (70) and Heath Slocum (68).

Triplett won $540,000, but nobody saw this coming -- at least not until his spectacular chip-in at No. 17.

“That won the tournament for me, for sure,” Triplett said.

Barring a resurrection in future years, Triplett will be the last golfer to win the conquistador helmet trophy in Tucson.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced earlier Sunday the city will play host to the Match Play Championship for the next four years.

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Jerry Pate jumped in the lake again, signaling another victory at long last.

Pate’s birdie putt on the final hole gave him a one-shot win in the Champions Tour’s Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at Lutz, Fla., his first pro victory in 24 years. Pate shot a five-under 66 for the day to finish at 11-under 202 for the tournament.

The last time Pate won -- at the Tournament Players Championship in 1982 -- he jumped in a lake just off the 18th green. He waited a long time to do it again.

Pate broke a four-way tie with his 10-foot putt on the final hole, leaving Hale Irwin (68), Mark James (68) and Morris Hatalsky (64) a shot back.

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Up next

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Ford Championship at Doral

* Where: Doral Golf Resort and Spa, Miami.

* When: Thursday-Sunday.

* Defending champion: Tiger Woods.

* Purse: $5.5 million.

*

CHAMPIONS TOUR

AT&T; Classic

* Where: Valencia Country Club, Valencia.

* When: March 10-12.

* Defending champion: Des Smyth.

* Purse: $1.6 million.

*

LPGA TOUR

MasterCard Classic

* Where: Bosque Real Country Club, Mexico City.

* When: March 10-12.

* Defending champion: Annika Sorenstam.

* Purse: $1.2 million.