SILVIS, Ill., July 28 (UPI) -- J.P. Hayes completed four rounds of nearly flawless golf with a 4-under-par 67 Sunday and ended a four-year victory drought in record-breaking fashion at the John Deere Classic.
Winless since the 1998 Buick Classic, Hayes made just one bogey in four trips around the TPC at Deere Run and eclipsed the tournament record with a 72-hole total of 22-under 262.
Hayes' only bogey came Friday at the par-4 eighth hole. But it was all but lost in a round of 61 that set a course record and matched the tournament mark. Hayes carded 67s in his other three rounds and recorded a four-stroke triumph over third-round co-leader Robert Gamez.
Hayes, who turns 37 on Friday, gave himself an early birthday present with the $540,000 first prize and a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
A former Rookie of the Year, Gamez closed with an even-par 71 and matched his best finish since 1997. But he has not won since 1990, when he holed a 7-iron from 176 yards for an eagle on the final hole to defeat Greg Norman at Bay Hill.
Kirk Triplett fired a 5-under 66 to grab sole possession of third place at 267, one shot better than Pat Perez.
