NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Vicente Fernandez of Argentina ended a three-year title drought Sunday, shooting a bogey-free, 4-under-par 68 for a three-stroke victory at the ACE Group Classic.
Fernandez, who is coming off his worst season on the Champions Tour, had four birdies and 14 pars at Twin Eagles Golf Club. He grabbed a one-stroke lead at the sixth hole and never let go, pulling away with two closing birdies.
He finished the 54-hole event at 14-under 202, good enough for his fourth Champions Tour victory and first since the 1999 Las Vegas Senior Classic.
Fernandez placed no better than third in any of his 28 starts last season and finished outside the top 31 on the money list for the first time in seven years on the tour.
Tom Watson tied tour newcomer Des Smyth of Ireland for second at 11-under 205, falling to none for 84 lifetime in Florida. Smyth, who turned 50 on Wednesday, had the low round of the day with a 66.
Gil Morgan, Tom Purtzer and Jay Overton shared fourth at 10-under 206, a stroke better than defending champion Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Jim Thorpe, Tom Jenkins and Leonard Thompson.
Dave Barr, seeking his second win in as many weeks, began the day with a one-stroke lead but had three bogeys on the front nine, shot a 3-over 75 and tied for 12th at 208.
