PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida, 30 March 2005 — American Fred Funk overcame difficult, windy conditions to become the oldest winner of the prestigious Players’ Championship with a one-shot victory at the TPC at Sawgrass on Monday.
The 48-year-old, four strokes off the pace going into the rain-delayed final round, fired a one-under-par 71 to clinch the seventh PGA Tour title of his career.
Ponte Vedra resident Funk mixed five birdies with four bogeys on a windy day at the Stadium Course to finish at nine-under 279, a stroke ahead of compatriots Tom Lehman (68), Scott Verplank (70) and Briton Luke Donald (76).
“I’m speechless right now,” Funk told reporters after winning golf’s unofficial fifth major. “It was a tough day out there with the wind and the conditions but I was always in control of my swing.”
Donald, bidding to become the second European winner at Sawgrass after Sandy Lyle in 1987, had the title in his sights after a 70 in gusting winds of up to 60kph put him one shot clear when the delayed third round of the rain-hit tournament was finally completed earlier in the day.
The 27-year-old Englishman, co-leader overnight with American Joe Durant at 11 under, held his nerve after double-bogeying the par-four 14th to stay ahead of the chasing pack as the conditions became tougher.
Australia’s Adam Scott, who at 23 became the youngest winner of the Players’ Championship with a one-shot victory last year, returned successive 73s to end up in a tie for eighth at five-under 283.
None of golf’s so-called “Fab Four” flourished on the fifth day, world number one Vijay Singh producing the best finish with a final-round 72 and a share of 12th at four-under 284.
South Africa’s Ernie Els carded a 69, his best round of the week, for a 72-hole total of three-under 285 while US Masters champion Phil Mickelson battled to a 75 for a share of 40th at two over. Tiger Woods, the 2001 Players’ champion, finished a further three strokes back after returning a second successive 75.
