Raymond Floyd wrote himself into the record book by winning a Senior PGA Tour event, then celebrated by giving away the prize.
Floyd on Sunday became the first golfer to score victories on both the regular and Senior tours in the same year.Moments after Floyd claimed the GTE North Classic Sunday with a two-stroke victory over Mike Hill, the 50-year-old announced he was donating his $67,500 first-place check to the PGA Tour's hurricane relief fund.
Floyd, a native of North Carolina who now makes his home in North Miami Beach, Fla., said he discussed the donation with his wife Maria after Hurricane Andrew devastated parts of Florida and Louisiana.
Floyd explained that a February fire which destroyed his home contributed to his decision to give away his purse.
"After our tragedy earlier in the year, we know what it's like to lose all your belongings," he said. "Fortunately we were insured. . . . But 30 miles from where we live, the eye of that hurricane went through," leaving what he called "unfathomable" destruction.
Floyd made birdies on all four par-5s Sunday and otherwise "did what I had to do at the end," he said.
Floyd, who took a three-stroke lead into the final round, found himself tied with brothers Mike and Dave Hill at 12-under with seven holes to play. Floyd responded with five birdies to take command.
Dave Hill dropped out of the lead for good with a bogey at No. 12, but Floyd and Mike Hill each carded consecutive birdies at the par-5 12th and 13th holes.
Floyd then forged in front with two big shots on the 400-yard 14th.
Floyd followed by matching Hill's sand save at No. 15, then upped his lead to two shots with a one-foot birdie putt on 16.
He and Hill halved the par-5 17th with birdies, which finally allowed Floyd to breathe a little easier.
"It was great to have a battle like that," said Hill, whose 65 was the best round of the day and gave him a 201 for 54 holes at the Broadmoor Country Club. He also matched the tournament record 63 on Saturday, one day after Walter Morgan established the mark in the tournament's first round.
But Hill couldn't be blamed for wondering what might have happened if his opening-round 73 had been better.
"Raymond made more birdies than I did," Hill said. "I played as good as I can play."
Bruce Crampton and Isao Aoki shared third place at 204, three shots behind Hill. Both shot closing 68s.
In Coal Valley, Ill., David Frost posted four birdies and six bogeys, good enough to let him win the $1 million Hardee's Classic by three strokes.
Frost, who led all the way, shot a 2-over-par 72 for a 14-under 266 total and a check for $180,000 in his second victory of the year.
Loren Roberts finished tied for second with Tom Lehman after 70s gave them 269 totals over the 6,751-yard, par-70 Oakwood Country Club course.
In Kent, Wash., Colleen Walker shot a 2-under-par 70 for a two-stroke victory over Rosie Jones and Vicki Fergon in the $450,000 LPGA Safeco Classic. Walker won her third tournament this year with an 11-under 277 around the 6,222-yard Meridian Valley Country Club course and earned $67,500.