For Arnold Palmer, there definitely is golfing life after 50.
And 60.Palmer, showing the old competitive fire and determination that marked his famous charges during his glory years on the PGA tour, dominated the $450,000 Senior Skins Game Sunday at Kohala Coast, Hawaii.
Overcoming his long struggles with putting, thanks to a tip from Lee Trevino, the 60-year-old Palmer made one birdie putt worth $215,000 and another worth $25,000.
Asked if the compeition and his success felt as good to him as when he was winning on the regular tour, Palmer grinned and said, "Darn right."
Jack Nicklaus, who turned 50 a week ago and was playing in his first senior event, also won a huge sum on one hole - $140,000.
Lee Trevino, who celebrated his 50th birthday last month, won $70,000, on the second hole of a playoff.
Gary Player, 54, did not win any holes nor any month although he, as did the other three golfers, played well.
Palmer, whose game has been marked by inconsistency in recent years, was elated over his play.
"It's a wonderful feeling being able to play like this," he said. "I've never won a Skins Game; this is quite a thrill.
"And I've never won that much money with one putt."
Palmer, who had lost confidence in his putting and who was futilely trying to change his putter, stroke and grip, stroked the ball firmly on the greens Sunday. He sank a 4-footer for birdie on the par-4 16th hole to win the $215,000, an 8-footer for $25,000 on No. 9 and barely missed a number of longer putts.
"A little confidence can make a difference," said Palmer, who credited Trevino with helping him regain his long-lost putting touch.
"Lee told me to move my index finger back on the shaft and I hit some putts and it felt pretty good," Palmer said. "I've got to thank him for the tip."
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And at Scottsdale, Ariz., Tommy Armour III, the husky grandson of one of golf's legendary figures, scored a five-stroke victory in the Phoenix Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory.
The younger Armour, who led or shared the lead all the way, quickly made the tournament a race for second place with his 3-under-par 68 over the final 18 holes at the TPC of Scottsdale.