Aug 24, 2008 - 10:12 PM
0 shoutsSNOQUALMIE, Washington (Ticker) -- Tom Kite fired a 6-under-par 66 on Sunday to post a two-stroke victory at the Boeing Classic.
Kite finished at 14-under 202 to overtake 36-hole leader Scott Simpson.
Simpson shot a 66 on Saturday to take the lead by two, but he could only manage a 71 on Sunday and had to settle for second at 12-under.
Kite had eight birdies and two bogeys en route to his first victory of the season. He had three birdies on the front nine and five coming in, including three over his final five holes.
"That sure was a fun day today," Kite said. "Things were on the upswing coming in here. I've been hitting some nice irons and I've been putting well especially since I switched to the long putter last September."
The win was Kite's 10th career victory on the Champions Tour and his second Boeing Classic title in four years. Sunday's triumph comes in his 57th start since his last win at the 2006 Boeing Classic.
"You know some day that you are going to win your last golf tournament," Kite said. "After two years, you start wondering if you'll win again. so this feels really, really good."
It was the first time in 80 career starts on the Champions Tour that Simpson had the lead going into the final round of an event. So far in 2008, only 10 of 22 second- and third-round leaders have gone on to win a Champions Tour event.
Simpson started his round with a birdie but had just two more all day with a pair of bogeys as well.
"I started good and I had some chances, just had some putts slip by the hole," Simpson said. "It's disappointing because I was a little off on the back nine.
"Tom played well and putted really well. It was fun to be in the hunt but disappointing not to win."
John Cook signed for a 5-under 67 and finished third at 11-under.
Defending champion Denis Watson overcame an opening 74 and played 67-66 over the weekend to finish tied for fifth.
