Blackmar has first win on Champions Tour

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Phil Blackmar staged a huge rally Sunday with a 7-under 64 that brought him his first Champions Tour victory at the AT&T Championship.

Blackmar, who turned 52 last month, won three times on the regular PGA Tour. His last victory of any sort, however, came a dozen years ago at the Houston Open.

He had nine 3's on his card Sunday at the Oak Hills Country Club and finished 54 holes in 10-under 203.

Blackmar finished well ahead of the final groups on the course and he had to await the results turned in by a host of challengers -- chief among them Jay Haas.

Haas was tied for the lead with only the par-3 18th to play, but he suffered a bogey for a round of 69. That tied Haas for second at 204 with Andy Bean and Tom Kite, who despite a Hall of Fame career has never won in his native state of Texas.

John Cook was alone in fifth at 205 and Hale Irwin finished sixth at 206.

Blackmar birdied five of the first six holes Sunday, and then birdied the 15th and 16th holes to take the lead. His previous best finish on the Champions Tour this year had been a tie for 11th.