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ESPN NETWORK:
ESPN.COM | NFL.COM | NBA.COM | NASCAR ONLINE | ABCSPORTS | FANTASY | THE STORE | INSIDER
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Irwin needs to shake slump to extend streak Associated Press April 14 5:56pm ET | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Hale Irwin believes his golf
game may finally be coming around -- and just in time, too.
Irwin, the three-time defending champion in the 60th annual PGA Seniors' Championship, hopes to shake a slump when the tournament opens Thursday at the PGA National Golf Club. Irwin is 24th on the senior money list with $129,690 in five starts after finishing on top in 1997 and 1998. He has consistently ranked among the putting leaders but is not even in the top 10 this year. "There's nothing wrong physically, just a few mental problems," Irwin said. "I've got to get out of the mechanical mode, going from A to B to C to D, and back into the 'let it happen' mode. "But it's coming around. I've been here since Sunday, and hopefully after four days of work I'll be ready to start playing good golf again." Irwin won the past three years with scores of 280, 274 and 275 on the par-72 Champion course. That's 8-, 14- and 13-under par. His margins of victory were two, 12 and seven shots. Last year, Irwin became the first player to win the championship three consecutive years, and he equaled Eddie Williams' record of three consecutive titles in 1942, 1945 and 1946. Williams' run was interrupted by World War II. This week Irwin could match the record of four consecutive titles in a major championship, set by Walter Hagen when he won the PGA Championship from 1924 through '27. "I don't think about that unless someone brings it up," Irwin said. "I would never want to compare myself with Walter Hagen, but I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a footnote in history." The field of 144 pros 50 and older will compete for $1.75 million and a first prize of $315,000. Among those entered are 55 PGA of America club professionals, former major champions, past U.S. Ryder Cup team players and top performers on the senior tour. Past champions in the field include Raymond Floyd (1995), Lee Trevino (1992 and 1994), Gary Player (1986, 1988 and 1990) and Arnold Palmer (1980 and 1984). The most significant absentee will be 1991 champion Jack Nicklaus, still recovering from hip replacement surgery in January. Among the favorites is Bruce Fleisher, who won the first two senior tour events of the season, at Key Biscayne and Sarasota. He lives at nearby BallenIsles Country Club. The course will play a little longer this year at 6,754 yards. Because of a warm winter, there is more grass on the greens, which will make putts a bit slower. "It will be a little more difficult," Irwin said. "It won't be the same PGA Seniors we have played the last three years. I just hope my game will be ready for the challenge."
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PGA Seniors Championship breakdown
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