Zoeller Holds Off Quigley

KAUPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii — Fuzzy Zoeller won the season-opening MasterCard Championship on Sunday, birdieing the last three holes for an eight-under-par 64 and a one-stroke victory over 2003 winner Dana Quigley.

Zoeller made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 54th hole of the tournament to finish at 20-under 196. Zoeller, third last year, earned $268,000 for his second Champions Tour title.

Quigley shot a 65 and took home $161,000.

Zoeller, Quigley, second-round leader Doug Tewell and Craig Stadler jockeyed for position on the back nine until Quigley and Zoeller birdied No. 17 to go up by a stroke.

Zoeller found an opening when he hit the green on his approach shot on the 410-yard No. 18, and Quigley’s shot found the left bunker.

After bogeying the 434-yard second hole, Zoeller made a charge up the leaderboard with five consecutive birdies that gave him the share of the lead with Tewell.

Zoeller made the turn at 32 and sank a 3 1/2-foot birdie putt on the 566-yard 10th to take his first lead. His round included nine birdies.

Stadler tied the tournament record with a 63 to tie for third with Tewell at 198.