PARKER — When the moderator at his news conference Sunday said he believed David Frost made a double-bogey 6 on the first playoff hole, the South African quickly cut him off.
“Doesn’t matter,” Frost said.
One reason was that whether five, six or 36, Frost was going to lose to Tom Lehman. But perhaps more important, he said, “I won’t let one hole bother me when I played so many good holes out there (Saturday and Sunday).”
After setting a Colorado Golf Club course record with a third- round 65, Frost said it was doubtful he could go low in back-to- back rounds. But there he was Sunday, setting the pace ahead of Lehman and Fred Couples. While not quite as sterling as Saturday’s round, his 67 was again the best of the day.
“It’s very gratifying to know you still have something in the bag,” said the 50-year-old Frost, whose last PGA Tour win came in 1997. “I think that when you get to our age, the nerves start taking over, but I was surprised that I managed to finish strong.”
Couples, who made eagles on Nos. 15 and 16 and missed an 8-foot birdie putt on 18 that could have won the tournament, didn’t speak to reporters after his round.
A monster of a tourney.
Bill Loeffler came within one stroke of some kind of dubious achievement Sunday. Had he finished with an 80 in the final round instead of 79, he would have played all four days without shooting in the 70s.
“I was trying to figure it out on about the fourth hole, this Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde, and today it was Mr. Hyde who showed up,” said Loeffler, who shot 69-82-69- 79 in the tournament. “On the first hole, I hit my drive into a bush — I probably should have just gotten into my car and driven home.”
Loeffler, the co-owner of Highlands Ranch Golf Club, fell short of his goal of being the low club professional in the field. That honor went to one of his playing partners Sunday, Lindy Miller of Texas, who finished at 4-over 292.
Among other local players, Lakewood resident Ron Vlosich shot a 74 to finish in a tie for 69th at 302; and Gary Hallberg shot an even-par 72 Sunday and finished at 294 — the same position as Chris Starkjohann, who shot a final-round 69.
The joy of golf.
Looking at where he was a little more than a year ago, Michael Allen has made great strides in his game. That may have been one reason, despite finishing in a tie for 11th, the defending champion said he was disappointed in his week.
“I just putted so horribly this year; I had seven or eight 3-putts, and I never made a — I never got it going with my putter,” Allen said.
Allen won last year’s championship after failing to take a PGA Tour event in more than 300 career starts. Although he still has hopes of winning on the regular tour, the 51-year-old has managed to maintain his perspective about the game.
“It’s just golf,” he said. “It’s frustrating, and it (bothers me) a lot, but overall it’s just a game and I have enjoyed playing it.”
Anthony Cotton, The Denver Post
