SAUCIER, Miss. Mike Bibby Jersey . - Jeff Maggert admitted his decisive putt on No. 17 at Fallen Oak wasnt supposed to be one that actually dropped. He was just trying to get it close. So when the 50-foot putt rolled up and down a big ridge as it broke from left to right — and then fell into the hole — the Champions Tour rookie was as surprised as anyone. He had been consistent all week. Now just a little bit of luck had pushed him to victory at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak on Sunday. "You cant count on those going in very often," Maggert said with a grin. Maggert became the 17th player in Champions Tour history to win in his debut, shooting a 4-under 68 to capture his first victory since the 2006 St. Judes Classic on the PGA Tour. The 50-year-old fell into a tie for the lead with Billy Andrade after making bogey on No. 16, but responded with the astonishing putt that pushed him back ahead. "I was just trying to hit an easy lag putt," Maggert said. "I wanted an easy tap-in for par and it was just one of those things — the ball found the hole." When it dropped, Maggert shook his head in disbelief. He finished the tournament with an 11-under 205. Maggert is a three-time PGA Tour winner who turned 50 in February. His consistent weekend included a 68 on Friday, a 69 on Saturday and he capped his debut performance at Fallen Oak with four birdies on the back nine on Sunday to earn the $240,000 paycheque. "I had expectations to play well, but I didnt know if I would play well enough to win," Maggert said. "Id been struggling a little with my game, but everything just kind of came together. It was one of the best tournaments, as far as ball striking, that Ive had in a few years in any event. That really carried me through." Andrade, who started the day tied with Fred Funk for the lead, shot a 71 to finish in second two strokes back. Andrade and Funk started the final round on top of a tight leaderboard, with a one-stroke lead over Fred Couples, Jay Haas and Maggert. The round was pushed back two hours because of rain, but the slightly soggy course didnt affect scoring much. Funk fell off the pace quickly, finishing with a 75. Haas was steady, but could never get on a roll and shot a 71 to finish tied for third with Bernhard Langer, who jumped up the leaderboard with a 68. Couples — who won the Toshiba Classic last week — faded after shooting a 66 to take a two-stroke lead in the opening round. He shot a 72 on Sunday to finish fifth. That left Andrade as Maggerts biggest challenger. The 50-year-old was playing in just his fourth Champions Tour event and had the lead at the turn, but made three bogeys on the back nine to fall out of contention. Andrade hasnt played much the past four years while working part-time as an analyst for The Golf Channel. He said Sundays back nine was frustrating, but that the weekend had shown him "that I still do have a little talent and I can play with these guys." "I havent been in this type of situation in a long time," Andrade said. "Its probably going to take me a little while to get the rust off when it comes to nerves and being in the hunt." Wayman Tisdale Jersey . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. Bobby Wanzer Jersey . The R&A announced Monday that golfs oldest championship will return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since Max Faulkner won in 1951.WINNIPEG -- Jennifer Jones was surprised twice at Wednesdays Canadian Olympic curling trials. First, the veteran Winnipeg skip watched as defending Canadian champion Rachel Homans last rock draw attempt was heavy, giving Jones a steal in the 10th end and 7-6 victory. The win put the four-time Canadian champion in sole possession of first place with a 5-1 record. What Jones didnt know was the win also gave her a bye into Saturday nights final, where the winner will represent Canada at next years Olympics in Sochi, Russia. "Are we? Are we in the final?" Jones asked after a reporter told her she was a game away from the Olympics. When the answer was yes, the usually cool skip was thrilled. "Oh, I had no idea. Yah. Thats awesome," Jones said, clapping her hands. Jones, whos making her third attempt at playing in an Olympics, is supported by third Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill Officer, lead Dawn McEwen and alternate Kirsten Wall. Fellow Winnipegger Chelsea Carey also had the 7,343 fans at MTS Centre cheering as she grabbed second place (4-2) after defeating Val Sweeting of Edmonton 6-4. Ottawas Homan, Sweeting, Ontarios Sherry Middaugh and Heatherr Nodohin from Edmonton share third with 3-3 records. Sacramento Kings Shirts. Middaugh beat Renee Sonneberg 7-6, dropping the Grande Prairie, Alta., skip to 1-5. The second- and third-place finishers will play the semifinal Friday night for the chance to face Jones. Homan and Jones met in this years Scotties Tournament of Hearts final and it looked like Homan was going to take the Trials re-match. Jones was leading 3-1 after the fourth end, but Homan scored three to go ahead 4-3 at the break and then stole a point in the sixth after Jones missed a double takeout. But Jones, the 2008 world champion, bounced back in the seventh end, drawing right onto the button for two and a 5-5 tie. With Homan leading 6-5 in the ninth and Jones with the hammer, the veteran was forced to draw for one and give Homan the hammer. However, Homan was heavy with her shot and Jones counted the one for the victory. "We did everything we could. We anticipated the fudge (slow ice) and it just wasnt there," Homan said. "Im really proud of my team. We had a heck of a game and we deserved that win, but thats all right, they got away with one and well get them back." ' ' '
SAUCIER, Miss. Mike Bibby Jersey . - Jeff Maggert admitted his decisive putt on No. 17 at Fallen Oak wasnt supposed to be one that actually dropped. He was just trying to get it close. So when the 50-foot putt rolled up and down a big ridge as it broke from left to right — and then fell into the hole — the Champions Tour rookie was as surprised as anyone. He had been consistent all week. Now just a little bit of luck had pushed him to victory at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak on Sunday. "You cant count on those going in very often," Maggert said with a grin. Maggert became the 17th player in Champions Tour history to win in his debut, shooting a 4-under 68 to capture his first victory since the 2006 St. Judes Classic on the PGA Tour. The 50-year-old fell into a tie for the lead with Billy Andrade after making bogey on No. 16, but responded with the astonishing putt that pushed him back ahead. "I was just trying to hit an easy lag putt," Maggert said. "I wanted an easy tap-in for par and it was just one of those things — the ball found the hole." When it dropped, Maggert shook his head in disbelief. He finished the tournament with an 11-under 205. Maggert is a three-time PGA Tour winner who turned 50 in February. His consistent weekend included a 68 on Friday, a 69 on Saturday and he capped his debut performance at Fallen Oak with four birdies on the back nine on Sunday to earn the $240,000 paycheque. "I had expectations to play well, but I didnt know if I would play well enough to win," Maggert said. "Id been struggling a little with my game, but everything just kind of came together. It was one of the best tournaments, as far as ball striking, that Ive had in a few years in any event. That really carried me through." Andrade, who started the day tied with Fred Funk for the lead, shot a 71 to finish in second two strokes back. Andrade and Funk started the final round on top of a tight leaderboard, with a one-stroke lead over Fred Couples, Jay Haas and Maggert. The round was pushed back two hours because of rain, but the slightly soggy course didnt affect scoring much. Funk fell off the pace quickly, finishing with a 75. Haas was steady, but could never get on a roll and shot a 71 to finish tied for third with Bernhard Langer, who jumped up the leaderboard with a 68. Couples — who won the Toshiba Classic last week — faded after shooting a 66 to take a two-stroke lead in the opening round. He shot a 72 on Sunday to finish fifth. That left Andrade as Maggerts biggest challenger. The 50-year-old was playing in just his fourth Champions Tour event and had the lead at the turn, but made three bogeys on the back nine to fall out of contention. Andrade hasnt played much the past four years while working part-time as an analyst for The Golf Channel. He said Sundays back nine was frustrating, but that the weekend had shown him "that I still do have a little talent and I can play with these guys." "I havent been in this type of situation in a long time," Andrade said. "Its probably going to take me a little while to get the rust off when it comes to nerves and being in the hunt." Wayman Tisdale Jersey . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. Bobby Wanzer Jersey . The R&A announced Monday that golfs oldest championship will return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since Max Faulkner won in 1951.WINNIPEG -- Jennifer Jones was surprised twice at Wednesdays Canadian Olympic curling trials. First, the veteran Winnipeg skip watched as defending Canadian champion Rachel Homans last rock draw attempt was heavy, giving Jones a steal in the 10th end and 7-6 victory. The win put the four-time Canadian champion in sole possession of first place with a 5-1 record. What Jones didnt know was the win also gave her a bye into Saturday nights final, where the winner will represent Canada at next years Olympics in Sochi, Russia. "Are we? Are we in the final?" Jones asked after a reporter told her she was a game away from the Olympics. When the answer was yes, the usually cool skip was thrilled. "Oh, I had no idea. Yah. Thats awesome," Jones said, clapping her hands. Jones, whos making her third attempt at playing in an Olympics, is supported by third Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill Officer, lead Dawn McEwen and alternate Kirsten Wall. Fellow Winnipegger Chelsea Carey also had the 7,343 fans at MTS Centre cheering as she grabbed second place (4-2) after defeating Val Sweeting of Edmonton 6-4. Ottawas Homan, Sweeting, Ontarios Sherry Middaugh and Heatherr Nodohin from Edmonton share third with 3-3 records. Sacramento Kings Shirts. Middaugh beat Renee Sonneberg 7-6, dropping the Grande Prairie, Alta., skip to 1-5. The second- and third-place finishers will play the semifinal Friday night for the chance to face Jones. Homan and Jones met in this years Scotties Tournament of Hearts final and it looked like Homan was going to take the Trials re-match. Jones was leading 3-1 after the fourth end, but Homan scored three to go ahead 4-3 at the break and then stole a point in the sixth after Jones missed a double takeout. But Jones, the 2008 world champion, bounced back in the seventh end, drawing right onto the button for two and a 5-5 tie. With Homan leading 6-5 in the ninth and Jones with the hammer, the veteran was forced to draw for one and give Homan the hammer. However, Homan was heavy with her shot and Jones counted the one for the victory. "We did everything we could. We anticipated the fudge (slow ice) and it just wasnt there," Homan said. "Im really proud of my team. We had a heck of a game and we deserved that win, but thats all right, they got away with one and well get them back." ' ' '
