COLUMBUS, Ga., May 25 (UPI) -- Morris Hatalsky completed his third straight bogey-free round Sunday to post a one-stroke victory over Allen Doyle at the inaugural Columbus Southern Open.
The 51-year-old Hatalsky shot a 3-under-par 67, giving him a 54-hole total of 12-under 198 at the Green Island Country Club. He became the first player to win on the Champions Tour without a bogey since Bruce Fleisher claimed the 1999 Transamerica.
Hatalsky, who began the final round tied for the lead with Jim Thorpe, had birdies on the first, seventh and 10th holes, then held on by parring the final seven.
It was the second victory for the San Diego native since he joined the Champions Tour last year. He also won the Uniting Fore Care Classic in 2002.
Hatalsky took home the top prize of $225,000 and became the 13th different winner on the Champions Tour this year. His previous best performance this season had been a sixth-place finish at last month's Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.
"It's always a great feeling to win," said Hatalsky, who extended his bogey-free streak to 79 holes. "I wasn't as sharp on the front nine as I was the first two days, but my short game saved me."
Playing ahead of Hatalsky, Doyle also shot a 67, but missed a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 18 that would have forced a playoff. He finished alone in second, one shot ahead of Bruce Fleisher, Dana Quigley, Des Smyth and Doug Tewell.
"I just need to read the greens a little bit better," said Doyle, who began the day tied for third. "When I executed today I just didn't get the results I thought I would."
Fleisher closed with an 8-under 62, one shy of the course record. It was Fleisher's best score since he posted a 10-under 60 in September at the RJR Championship.
Hatalsky wielded a hot putter on the front nine, starting with a seven-foot par save on the first hole. He made a 17-footer for birdie on No. 4, then saved another par on the fifth hole with a chip and seven-footer.
Hatalsky sank a 35-footer for birdie on the seventh hole, then got to 12-under after lofting a wedge to within 12 feet on No. 10.
"I was focused on each and every shot today," said Hatalsky, who shot 66-65 in the first two rounds. "I'm pleased to finish on top despite not playing as well as I did the first two days."
