Pampling Prevails as Owens Staggers at End

The silver sword for winning the Bay Hill Invitational went to Rod Pampling.

Greg Owen felt like falling on one.

Owen had his first PGA Tour victory within his grip late Sunday afternoon, a two-shot lead and 40 inches left for a par on the 17th hole. But the par putt slid by the right side of the cup, costing Owen a valuable cushion going to the tough 18th. Angry at the miss, he quickly stepped to the other side of the cup to rap in a two-footer for bogey, only to see that one horseshoe around the cup, a double bogey that left him tied for the lead.

“It was one of those silly mistakes that I’ll be remembered for,” Owen said.

Owen then had a 12-foot par putt to force a playoff on the 18th hole, hit what he called his best stroke of the week and watched it catch the back lip and spin out.

It overshadowed a solid recovery from Pampling, who squandered a four-shot lead with a final-round 72 before winning his second PGA Tour title in 14-under 274.

Darren Clarke closed with a 70 and finished alone in third.

For the third consecutive year, Tiger Woods was not a factor. He closed with a 72 to finish 10 shots behind.

*

Battling wind and rain, Hall of Famer Juli Inkster overcame a four-stroke deficit to win the Safeway International at Superstition Mountain, Ariz.

Inkster, 45, won her 31st LPGA Tour title and first since 2003 by shooting a five-under 67 to finish at 15-under 273, two strokes ahead of Sarah Lee (73).

Aree Song finished third.