GREENSBORO, N.C. — Looking for a favorite other than Tiger Woods at this year's U.S. Open?
How about Hal Sutton?
The hero of the Ryder Cup used some gutsy play down the stretch once again to shoot a 1-under-par 71 to capture the $3 million Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic — his second PGA Tour win in a month.
Sutton beat Woods four weeks ago in the Players Championship by one stroke. And since finishing in a tie for eighth here in 1998, Sutton has five wins, 29 top 10s and $6.2 million in winnings.
"I think he's a definite dominant, top-five player in the world," Andrew Magee said of Sutton, who beat Magee by three shots Sunday. "We all know that Hal has plenty of guts and courage. And he shows it time and time again. I respect Hal quite a bit."
Sutton's career was dormant seven years ago. He shot a 64 on Friday to build a big lead on the field that had difficulty dealing with U.S. Open-like 5-inch rough and slick greens at Forest Oaks Country Club.
He cruised to his 13th career win despite being only 1-under for his final 36 holes.
"When I arrive at a tournament and see a lot of rough, I like that," said Sutton, who hit 12 of 14 fairways in the final round.
Rough like he'll find in June at Pebble Beach.
"I enjoy that position," Sutton said of being mentioned as one of this year's Open favorites. "If you (reporters) think I'm good enough to win that tournament, well, that's great."
Sutton held a 1-shot lead Sunday over playing partner Magee with four holes left.
Sutton holed a 10-foot birdie putt on No. 15, while Magee bogeyed a 2-shot swing that enabled the 20-year PGA Tour veteran to pick up the victory at 14-under 274.
The key putt came two holes after Sutton sailed a 100-yard approach shot over the 13th green into deep, deep rough. The result was a bogey on the easiest hole on the course as Magee closed within one.
"That third shot played really short. I was dead from there," he said of his poor position behind the green on the par-5 hole. "It's a decent walk from the 13th green to the 14th tee. All I told myself was, 'I've still got the lead, and let's go drive it in the fairway."'
That's what happened on the next hole as Magee failed to hit his pitching wedge close enough to make a difference in the final few holes.
The $540,000 first-place prize moved Sutton to $2.3 million, his best season as a pro. It was also the fifth time in his career he's won two tournaments in a season.
LAS VEGAS SENIOR CLASSIC: Larry Nelson shot an 8-under-par 64, playing the final five holes in 5 under, to win the Las Vegas Senior Classic with a tournament-record 19-under 197 total.
The win ended a personal streak of three consecutive second-place finishes for Nelson, who won his first event of the year on the Senior PGA Tour.
Hale Irwin (65) and Bruce Fleisher (69) tied for second, five shots back.