North shines in Senior debut
Associated Press
Sunday, March 19
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- If there is any better way to return to competitive golf, Andy North would love to hear about it.
Teaming with Jim Colbert, North turned his debut on the Senior Tour into a resounding success, overcoming strong wind Sunday to close a wire-to-wire victory at the Liberty Mutual Legends of
Golf.
It was only North's fourth pro victory and his first since the 1985 U.S. Open.
But what a way to revive a career that had been on hold since he took a job as a TV analyst seven years ago.
"I wish I could have found a way to get more chances over my career," said North, who turned 50 last week and became eligible for the Senior Tour. "But maybe out here, I'll get more chances
and see what I can do."
On Week One, he couldn't have asked for more.
North and Colbert finished the two-man, best-ball tournament at 25-under 191, one stroke better than David Graham and Bruce Fleisher, who shot 63.
Two back were defending champions Hubert Green and Gil Morgan, who shot 65.
North and Colbert took a three-stroke lead into the final round and carried it through most of the day. The tournament tightened when they bogeyed the par-5 16th hole and Graham and Fleisher,
playing two groups ahead, birdied No. 18 to close the deficit to one.
But North made par on No. 17, then Colbert sank a 4-footer for par on No. 18. The two high-fived and hugged, and North's successful debut was sealed.
With the tournament on the line, North harkened back to the time he had spent in the TV booth watching Colbert.
"I absolutely knew Jim was going to make that putt," North said. "I've sat there and told people for seven years about what a great short putter this guy is. If you want someone putting for your life, he'd be a good pick."
North's other two victories came on the PGA Tour at the 1978 U.S. Open and the 1977 Westchester Classic.
Frequently injured over his career, North finished in the top 20 in earnings on the PGA Tour just twice in 24 years. But the Senior Tour has a way of opening up new doors for players, as he found out this weekend.
Although the tournament is an exhibition and doesn't count toward season earnings, the $322,000 the players split is surely real.
So is the confidence North gained, along with the sponsor exemptions he'll most likely earn for the 20 or so events he plans to play this year.
"I think Andy's going to be a threat," said Fleisher, last year's player of the year on the Senior Tour. "Winning right out of the box has to boost his confidence. He played extremely well. I think Andy's going to have a good time out here. He's just another horse we have to beat."
North's next task will be to keep it going without a partner. And there was no underestimating the importance of Colbert in this victory.
On No. 10, Colbert hit the middle of the green and saved par after North's approach landed far to the left. On No. 12, one of the toughest holes all week, Colbert his a 5-iron to eight feet for a birdie after North had played himself out of the hole.
Then came the clincher, the putt on No. 18 after the lead had nearly been squandered.
"All week, Andy kept telling me, 'We both can putt, we both can putt, how can we not do well, we're both good putters,' " Colbert said. "I started thinking, 'Man, I better make some putts.' "
He did, and helped North walk away a winner.
"You're playing with a guy who hits every fairway, hits every green and makes every great putt," North said. "That's a pretty good partner. I've watched him do it for 10 years."
Divots
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said the tournament will return to St. Augustine next year despite the poor attendance. The PGA would like to change the date, pulling it off the same weekend of the Bay Hill Invitational. That would give Arnold Palmer, who puts on the Bay Hill event, a chance to play.
Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd shot 65 to finish the tournament at 18-under. Nicklaus said
his game improved as the week progressed. "It gives me a little ray of hope," Nicklaus said.
Colbert had teamed with Bob Murphy until his collaboration this year with North. Murphy is
injured this year. Asked who he'll play with next year, Colbert responded, "I haven't decided. I don't know who turns 50 next year."
North and Colbert were the third wire-to-wire winners in the last four years.
