MILWAUKEE — Corey Pavin's putting prowess carried him to his first PGA Tour victory in 10 years.
The 46-year-old Pavin closed with a 3-under 67 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory over Madison native Jerry Kelly in the U.S. Bank Championship.
Pavin, whose last victory came in the 1996 Colonial, earned his 15th tour victory with precise putting and a timely eagle on the par-4 eighth. He finished with a 20-under 260 total.
Kelly also closed with a 67. Jeff Sluman (64) was 17 under, Frank Lickliter (69) and D.J. Trahan (69) followed at 15 under and Woody Austin (65), Joey Sindelar (67) and Billy Andrade (68) were 14 under.
Pavin, who also won the tournament 20 years ago, became the eighth two-time champion in Milwaukee. While his first win here was worth $72,000, Sunday's check was 10 times that at $720,000.
Kelly said he wanted to go head-to-head with the leader in the final round. Before the tournament, Pavin seemed like an unlikely candidate, ranking 194th in driving distance and 175th in putting on tour.
But the 1995 U.S. Open winner scorched the short 6,759-yard Brown Deer Park Golf Course early with a PGA Tour-record 26 on the par-34 front nine Thursday. He finished the first round with a 61 and shot a 64 in the second to reach 15 under and tie the tour scoring record for the first 36 holes at 125.
SENIOR BRITISH OPEN: At Turnberry, Scotland, Loren Roberts squandered a five-stroke lead Sunday, then won a sudden death playoff over Eduardo Romero.
The two players went to the playoff after they finished tied at 6-under 274 at Turnberry. Roberts shot a 75 in the final round, and Romero had a 71.
They returned to the 18th tee for the playoff, and, with Roberts needing three shots to reach the green, Romero, who made it in two, appeared to be in position to win the title. But he misread his 30-foot putt and left the ball 5 feet from the hole.
Roberts holed a 12-footer for par, and Romero missed his short putt for a bogey to hand the title to the American.
Dick Mast finished third at 5-under 275 after a final-round 67. He almost joined the playoff, but a 25-foot birdie putt at the last stayed on the edge.
Utah golfers Mike Reid and Bruce Summerhays both shot final round 74s. Reid finished at six-over 286 and Summerhays at 296.
Defending champion Tom Watson, who was trying to win the title for the third time in four years, finished with a 74 and a four-round total of 288 for a share of 23rd. Three-time champion Gary Player, 70, tied for 65th at 16-over 296.