
SAVANNAH, GA. -- Bob Charles and Gary Player held off a late charge by the team of Don Bies and Tom Shaw to successfully defend their title in the Demaret Division (age 70-plus) of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf. Charles and Player finished with a record 36-hole total of 19-under-par 125. The team of Bies and Shaw finished at 17-under-par 127.
Charles and Player held a five-stroke margin on Bies and Shaw after a record 11-under-par 61 Monday. However, Bies and Shaw got off to a fast start Tuesday, running off five consecutive birdies at the start. However, Charles and Player kept the duo at bay with three birdies of their own on the front side. The closest Bies and Shaw would get on the back nine was one stroke before Charles and Player closed things out with birdies on three of the last five holes. Player made an 18-footer for a birdie at No. 14, and Charles made putts of 15 and four feet for birdies on Nos. 17 and 18.
"There was some pressure out there today," said Player. "When you get to our age that hole looks the size of a Bayer aspirin. The older you get, the more you feel it."
Added Charles, "As Gary said, we were feeling the pressure when Don and Tom made those birdies to start the round. I was losing confidence quickly out there, but we made the shots when we had to."
The win earned Charles and Player $60,000 each, while Bies and Shaw each earned $37,000.
Tickets are still available for Wed-Sun and may be purchased at the gate or in advance at ticketmaster.com.
|