Irwin edges Watson in Senior golf

NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Hale Irwin two-putted from 40 feet at No. 18 to post a one-stroke victory at the ACE Group Classic Sunday after Tom Watson found water at the 17th hole to remove himself from contention.

Irwin's 54-hole total of 16-under 200 was a shot better than Watson and two ahead of Jim Dent and Jim Thorpe.

The win was Irwin's 33rd on the Senior Tour -- tops on the all-time list -- and his sixth title in Florida. But the 56-year-old's latest triumph was not without drama as he took a two-stroke lead into the final hole before nearly faltering.

Watson and Irwin were tied through 16 holes but at the par-5 544-yard 17th, Irwin stuck a sand wedge to within 10 feet and converted the birdie putt to move to 17-under. While Irwin was taking advantage of the par-5, Watson was self-destructing, finding water with his second shot.

"I was not going for the green at 17 no matter what," said Irwin, who won here in 1997. "I wanted Tom to go for it. If he would have pulled it off, it would have been a great shot and I would have been the first to applaud him. It was a risky shot."

"I pulled my second shot in the water at 17," Watson said. "I can't miss it left and I just pulled it slightly. I wanted to be somewhat aggressive after Hale layed up."

Irwin took the two-stroke lead to the 18th hole and the cushion came in handy when his drive found a bunker and he was forced to lay up. He left himself with a 40-footer for par but was able to lag his putt close enough to salvage a bogey.

Watson was unable to take advantage and finished second for the second straight week.

"There was nothing about the week I didn't enjoy," said Irwin, who earned $225,000 for the win. "I'm pleased with the end result."

The money pushed Irwin over the $20 million mark in career earnings. He and Tiger Woods are the only two to surpass the plateau.

Watson remained winless in Florida despite playing in 81 events in the state.

Ben Crenshaw, making his Senior Tour debut this week, carded a 72 Sunday and finished tied for 43rd at 1-under 215.

Defending champion Gil Morgan finished seven shots back in 11th place.