Hoch times his run perfectly at Western Open
( 2001-07-09 09:54 ) (7 )

hoch wins Western Open

Scott Hoch all but secured a place in the American Ryder Cup team for the match against Europe at The Belfry in September after winning the US$3.6 million Western Open by one stroke on Sunday.

Hoch timed his run perfectly, taking the lead with a tap-in par at the final hole to edge out fellow American Davis Love after a compelling final round duel at Cog Hill.

It was the only time Hoch, 45, had led in the entire tournament, much to the chagrin of overnight leader Love, who came up short despite shooting a six-under-par 66. Hoch fired a 64 for a tournament record total of 21-under-par 267.

Compatriot Love was second on 268, while Brandel Chamblee (69) and Canadian Mike Weir (67) tied for third place on 275.

"Score wise, I couldn't have done much better," Hoch said. "It had to be eight under (on Sunday) to win."

He jumped to seventh in the Ryder Cup standings and collected $648,000 for his 10th US PGA Tour victory.

Hoch also became the first man in more than a decade to win twice in the same year on tour after turning 45.

It is easily Hoch's most significant win because most of his others came in second-tier tournaments against fields of sparse quality.

This week, he dusted off a field that included the world's two top-ranked players, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

NEAR MISSES

Love, who is making a habit of near misses, led by one stroke with three holes left.

He bogeyed the 16th, matched Hoch's birdie at the 17th, then made a mess of the par-four 18th, missing a par saving 12-footer that would have forced a playoff.

"You shoot 66 on Sunday on this course, you don't expect to lose," said Love who has had nine second place finishes in the last three years.

"It's awfully hard to win out here. I did a lot of good things. I just didn't play a perfect round like Scott."

At least Love was consoled that he was back in form in time for the forthcoming British Open, after missing two months in the spring nursing an aggravated disc in his neck.

Woods was uncharacteristically sloppy on his way to a tie for 20th position, his worst result since he was equal 23rd in this tournament last year.

On Saturday, Woods declared his swing was back in sync, but 24 hours later he was not so certain.

"For some reason I just didn't carry it over to today," Woods said after shooting a 71 for 280. "I didn't hit the ball anywhere near as good as yesterday.

"Thank God my putting was good or I would have had trouble breaking 80."

But Woods warned not to read too much into his lacklustre performance in terms of his British Open challenge, noting the type of shots required at Lytham would be "completely different".