DEARBORN, Mich., July 13 (UPI) -- Craig Stadler ended a seven-year victory drought Sunday, with a three-shot win over Tom Kite, Jim Thorpe and Tom Watson at the Senior Players Championship.
The 50-year-old Stadler carded a final-round 6-under-par 66 to earn his first title since the 1996 Nissan Open. He completed 72 holes at 17-under 271.
The California native who is in his first season on the Champions Tour had to wait through a lightning delay of more than an hour.
Kite shot a 9-under 63, including birdies on the final two holes, to climb from 10th place at the start of the day. Thorpe had a 7-under 65, reeling off three straight birdies from 15though 17 to claim a share of second.
Watson began the final round tied for the lead with Stadler and Mike McCullough, but settled for a 3-under 69.
