Duffy Waldorf wins Champions Tour opener in Hawaii

KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — Duffy Waldorf made a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole to beat Tom Lehman by a stroke Saturday in the PGA Tour Champions' season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.

The 53-year-old Waldorf shot a 6-under 66 to finish at 18-under 198 at Hualalai Golf Course. He won in his first appearance in the event for major champions from the last five years, tournament winners the last two seasons and sponsor invitees.

Waldorf won the Toshiba Classic in November for his first victory on the 50-and-over tour. He won four times on the PGA Tour.

Lehman also closed with a 66. After Waldorf holed his birdie putt on the par-4 18th, Lehman left his 15-footer inches short.

Two strokes behind Lehman was six holes left, Waldorf made a 5-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th and pulled even with a 15-footer on the par-4 16th. Waldorf got up-and-down from the rough on the par-3 17th, saving par with a 7-foot putt.

Davis Love III was third at 15 under after a 68. Jay Haas (65) and Joe Durant (68) followed at 14 under, and Fred Couples (66) and Kenny Perry (67) were another stroke back.

Love was making his sixth senior start after playing the PGA Tour's Hawaii events the last two weeks. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain won the PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship in August at 51 years, 4 months, 10 days to become the third-oldest champion in tour history.

Tom Watson, two strokes behind Waldorf entering the round after bettering his age Friday with a 65, had a 71 to drop into a tie for 11th at 11 under. The 66-year-old Watson is winless since the 2011 Senior PGA Championship.