Irwin weathers elements, Haas

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Hale Irwin survived a grueling week and a challenge from the Champions Tour's newest player to win his fourth Senior PGA Championship.

Irwin birdied the 18th hole to win the weather-plagued event by one stroke over Jay Haas yesterday. The tournament was delayed five times in five days because of heavy rains.

Irwin led after each round at Valhalla Golf Club and finished at 8-under-par 276. He will turn 59 Thursday and was the oldest winner of the tournament since Pete Cooper won in 1976 at age 61.

"I'm proud, I'm relieved, and I'm glad it's over," said Irwin after winning for the 40th time on the Champions Tour.

Haas, playing in his first senior event after turning 50 in December, missed a 10-foot birdie putt on 18 as co-leader Irwin watched from the fairway.

Irwin's approach to the 535-yard par-5 landed on the lower tier of the undulating green, about 40 feet away. He rolled a hard-breaking putt within a foot and tapped in for the victory.

"I can't say I was happy with what I was looking at," Irwin said of his second-to-last putt. "Fortunately, I read it well."

Haas, who has four top-10 finishes on the regular PGA tour this year, has not won a tournament since 1993.

"That's disappointing that I didn't get that done," Haas said.

Craig Stadler shot a final-round 69 to finish third, three shots behind Irwin.

Tom Watson had a final-round 73 and finished tied for fourth at 282 with Dave Barr (74) and Mark James (69).