Scott hangs on for 1-shot win at Players

Monday, March 29, 2004 | 9:31 a.m.

FROM SUN WIRE SERVICES

UNLV's Moore cards 64

LAS VEGAS SUN

TUCSON, Ariz. -- UNLV junior Ryan Moore shot an 8-under-par 64 Sunday to take a two-stroke lead over Oklahoma State's Alex Noren after the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at the Omni Tucson National Golf Course.

Despite Moore's efforts, his third round of 64 this season, the Rebels were in fifth place in the team standings at 2-under 286. Arizona State was in first at 279, three strokes ahead of Southern California.

Moore was the only Rebels player to finish the day under par. Travis Whisman shot a 73, Ryan Keeney a 74 and Andres Gonzales a 75 to account for UNLV's team total.

The second round was scheduled to begin today.

After looking almost unbeatable, Adam Scott needed the biggest putt of his career to avoid beating himself on Sunday.

Yanking his second shot into the water at No. 18, and almost squandering the richest tournament in golf, Scott escaped with a one-stroke victory at the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., avoiding a playoff by making a 10-foot bogey putt.

He finished with a 12-under-par 276 after a 70, one stroke ahead of Padraig Harrington (66). Frank Lickliter II (72), Phil Mickelson (71) and Kenny Perry (71) finished in a three-way tie for third, four shots back.

A 23-year-old Australian with a swing and a future to envy, Scott pocketed $1.44 million. He is the youngest winner in the tournament's 31-year history, but if he keeps winning like this, he will age quickly.

Holding a two-stroke lead on the final hole at the TPC at Sawgrass, with Harrington already in the clubhouse, Scott almost ruined 71 holes of solid golf. After a solid tee shot at the par-4, 456-yard No. 18, he did the one thing he wanted to avoid, pulling a 6-iron from 212 yards into the water.

"It was always going left," he said. "There was no chance that ball was going over the water."

Considering the circumstances, it was a terrible shot. There was plenty of room to miss the green, either to the right or short. Suddenly, Scott was taking a penalty drop, needing to get up and down from 34 yards to avoid a playoff with Harrington. "It's a roller coaster of emotion," Scott said.

Scott had already won six times worldwide because of a champion's demeanor, and he quickly regained his composure.

Park's putt came just moments after Song rolled in a 30-foot eagle putt to tie for the lead, pumping her fist in the air and shouting "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Park backed off her putt twice, then knocked it in the center of the hole to win her first major title. She closed with a 3-under 69 for an 11-under 277 total.

Song shot a 70, and Karrie Webb (69) finished third, two strokes back. Fourteen-year-old Michelle Wie had a 71 to finish fourth, four strokes behind Park. Annika Sorenstam shot a 69 to tie for 13th at 3 under.

The former Baylor player, also the winner of the season-opening Panama Championship, birdied the last three holes and four of the final five for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over Rick Price (68).

Walker finished at 16-under 272, and earned $85,500 to top the money list with $193,756. The top 20 on the money list at the end of the season will earn 2005 PGA Tour cards.