Jose Maria Olazabal enchanced his career and John Daly put his in jeopardy Sunday in the NEC World Series of Golf.
Olazabal, the current Masters champion, joined Nick Price as the only multiple winners on the American tour this year with a one-stroke victory over a field of most of the best players in the world.Olazabal, the 1990 winner of this title, came from three shots off the pace with a last-round 67, 3-under-par on Firestone's North course and the best round of the windy, showery day.
He collected $360,000 from a purse of $2 million, pushing his American earnings for the season to $969,900 in only eight starts.
Olazabal won this one with a 269 total, 11 under par on the course that was hastily pressed into service after the South course, long the site of this tournament, lost its greens to a mysterious blight last month.
While the Spanish star was scoring his second victory in this event, the controversial Daly was engaged in a scuffle with Bob Roth, father of national club pro champion Jeff Roth of Flint, Mich.
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said he had been informed of the incident "and will talk to the people involved before I make any public statement." He said he anticipated talking with Daly "probably within the next 48 hours."
The commissioner has the power to invoke penalities up to and including suspension from tour play.
Daly, twice suspended by former commissioner Deane Beman, left the course immediately after the altercation near the pro shop of the Firestone Country Club and was not available for comment.
The incident occurred after Daly completed a round of 83. Roth, playing in front of him, confronted the former PGA champion and accused Daly of hitting into his group.
Greg Norman's caddy and golfer Andrew Magee made the same accusations against Daly earlier in the week.
Leaving the clubhouse, Daly was confronted by Roth. Words were exchanged and Dolores Roth said Daly cursed at her husband and her.
Bob Roth, 62, grabbed Daly from behind and both men fell to the ground. They were separated by spectators and caddies. Neither was injured seriously. Roth's left elbow later was bandaged.
Scott Hoch, who missed a birdie putt of less than 2 feet on the 17th hole, birdied the last from about 6 feet to match par 70 and take second place behind Olazabal at 270. Hoch thus earned a spot on the United States' inaugural President's Cup team that will play an international team next month at Manassas Lake, Va.
Steve Lowery, 33, who gained entry into this tournament with his first career victory last week in the International, and Brad Faxon tied at 271. Faxon shot 69 and Lowery, who blew the 54-hole lead with a double bogey on the first hole, shot 72.
They were followed by Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe and John Huston at 272. McNulty shot 70 and Huston 71.
Greg Norman shot 72 for 274 and Nick Price, the PGA and British Open champion and the outstanding player in the world this year, could do no better than a 73 and was well back at 276.
Olazabal went in front with a two-shot swing - his 7-iron to 3 feet against Lowery's bogey - on the ninth hole and was never headed.
He preserved the lead with very good saves on the 12th and 18th holes, the latter when he got up and down from 30 yards short of the green.