Tom Wargo birdied his first hole on Friday and never looked back on his way to capturing the Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions title at the Commerce Bank Championship, his fourth career Grand Champions win and first since 2004. The Commerce Bank Championship is the fourth of six Grand Champions events on the 2006 Champions Tour schedule.

Wargo not only battled 22 other Grand Champions competitors but also the weather at the Red Course at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, N.Y. After rain forced several suspensions of play on Saturday, the second round was eventually completed on Sunday morning.

Wargo, whose first-round 67 gave him a one-shot lead over the trio of Bruce Summerhays, Mike Hill and John Bland, shot a second-round 68 for a two-round total of seven-under-par 135. Dave Eichelberger, who started Saturday two shots back, shot a 67 in the second round to finish in second place, one shot behind Wargo.

Summerhays and Jay Sigel tied for third place at 5-under-par 137. Hill was fifth at 4-under-par 138.

Wargo earned $30,000 for the victory. Hale Irwin, who finished in sixth place, continues to lead the Grand Champions money list with $68,500 through four events. Mike McCullough won the Grand Champions money title last year with $119,267.

The Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions competition features players age 60 and older vying for an additional purse and title at six selected Champions Tour events. Scores posted during the first two rounds of the tournament determine the Grand Champions winner.

The 2006 Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions competition concludes with the Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions Championship, which will be held at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in suburban Atlanta, from Sept. 8-9. The Grand Champions play for weekly purses of $175,000, with $400,000 up for grabs at the Championship. The top 16 players on the 2006 Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions money list through the 3M Championship, plus two sponsors’ exemptions, will be eligible for the season-ending, 36-hole championship. Mike McCullough won last year’s Championship and its $85,000 first prize.