Three’s a charm

Victoria Sun

Monday, Oct. 18, 1999 | 10:01 a.m.

With a milky white complexion, thinning light-brown hair and a wholesome smile, Jim Furyk looks about as Las Vegas as popcorn peddler Orville Redenbacher.

But don't be fooled, because Furyk owns this town.

At least when it comes to golf.

The 29-year-old shot a 6-under-par 66 on Sunday to win his second consecutive Las Vegas Invitational and third in five years.

Furyk's five-day total 29-under-par 331 was one stroke better than runner-up Jonathan Kaye, who shot a final-round 64.

Dudley Hart matched Kaye's 64 and finished seven strokes back in third place.

For the tournament, Furyk, a member of this year's U.S. Ryder Cup team, made an impressive 32 birdies with only one bogey and one double bogey.

He earned $450,000 while Kaye, trying for his first PGA Tour victory, pocketed $270,000.

In 1995, Furyk won his first title at the LVI and became the first player to win the event twice last year.

His only other tournament victory came at the United Airlines Hawaiian Open in 1996.

"Early in my career, a couple of times before I won an event, I felt I played well. It's just that someone played better," Furyk said. "Or like a couple putts didn't go in and that cost me.

"Today was kind of interesting. I drew a lot from past experience. A lot of the same things happened today that happened in my last two victories. Both times I've stepped onto the 18th tee with a two-shot lead and the guy I was playing with made birdie so I had to make par."

Furyk had a three-stroke lead over Kaye entering the final round.

Kaye challenged Furyk early with three consecutive birdies on three putts less than four yards each. Then Kaye pulled even after he birdied the par-4, 448-yard 11th hole.

But Kaye bogeyed the par-4, 442-yard 12th hole after his tee shot landed behind a tree while Furyk parred it to regain the lead.

Kaye birdied the par 5, 606-yard 13th to draw even before Furyk pulled away.

First Furyk sank a 9-iron off the fringe from about three yards, then he sank a 25-foot putt to birdie 14. On 15, his drive landed on the green about 35 feet away and he two-putted for another birdie; on 16, he made a 3-foot birdie for a two-stroke lead.

Until the par-3 156-yard 14th, Furyk parred six consecutive holes.

"I think a lot of it is really believing in yourself," Furyk said. "Really believing in your mind that you can win the event and that you're going to win the event."

Furyk said getting through the middle of the round might have been the key to victory.

"I hit a good shot on 8 and I hit a good putt and it actually hit something and jumped off line, didn't go in," he said. "Knowing I had an iffy call whether I should go for the green or whether I should lay up, I decided to go for it, although I knew that the best I could probably do is hit the middle of the green. I hit a perfect shot in front of the green and left myself a 100-foot putt which I made it down to two.

"On 10, I hit a horrible iron shot in the front right bunker and 11 I hit an iron to the right and really put it in a tough place to get up and down, but chipped up four feet and made that for par. I think getting through that stretch of holes, staying patient and not letting it bother me really helped out."

Furyk parred 17 and 18 and Kaye birdied 18 with what he said was "the longest putt I made all week," from about 20 yards to finish a stroke behind.

"He just doesn't make mistakes," Kaye said of Furyk. "When he does, he probably recovers.

"He's probably the best putter on the tour."

Furyk also had some kind words for Kaye, who had rotator cuff surgery that kept him off the tour for most of 1996 and 1997.

"I give credit to Jonathan Kaye, he played super out here," Furyk said. "I knew he'd shoot a low score today, forcing me to play better.

"He made me earn it."

Known for his unusual swing, Furyk says he doesn't know why he has had so much success in Las Vegas. He has improved his driving distance over the last couple of years, which seems to have helped his game.

In 1998 he had 12 top-10 finishes and eight before the LVI.

"Everyone thinks Summerlin is a course where the long bomber's gonna win and it really does set up well for the guys who hit the ball far," he said. "I'm definitely hitting the ball farther off the tee.

"So I have gained a little bit of distance, but not enough to threaten any one at the top. I really haven't tried.

"It's probably a matter of (if) I knew if I gained a few yards, my game would get better, that I would become a better player."

His new caddie also has been helpful.

Before the Masters this year, Furyk enlisted Mike "Fluff" Cowan, formerly Tiger Woods' caddie.

"He works very hard and he's always prepared," Furyk said. "He has more yardages and things to add to my game.

"I think that makes us a great match because I work very hard."