Mulroy and Ping combine to win $3 million

MESQUITE, Nev., May 16 (UPI) -- Garth Mulroy and David Ping won the final hole of the 2005 Big Stakes Match Play Championship on Monday for a 2-up victory woth $3 million.

Mulroy and Ping beat Rick Hartmann and Mark Mielke for the richest payday in golf history. Each pair had won five matches over the first five days to gain entry into the final.

Mulroy and Ping posted a 4 & 3 win in the opening round and a 3 & 1 victory in the second. They won 5 & 3 win in round three Eric Axley and Scott Piercy.

The Californians won 3 & 2 win in the quarterfinal, then defeated James Gilleon, Jr. and former major league baseball pitcher Rick Rhoden, 4 & 3, in the semifinals.