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Putting right, behind Armour`s record success
Texas, Sept 30: Whenever the history of golf is recounted, many of the memorable moments and events often revolve around the majors or involve marquee names.
Well, the Valero Texas Open is far removed from being a major and Tommy Armour III is two generations removed from his more famous grandfather. But over four days in San Antonio last week, Armour put on one of the best all-time displays of golf to win the Valero Texas Open, setting the PGA Tour record for the lowest score in a 72-hole tournament -- 26-under-par 254.
Though Duffy Waldorf cut Armour's six-stroke 54-hole lead in half with three straight birdies to open the final round, Armour never flinched and eventually won by seven strokes over defending champion Loren Roberts and Bob Tway.
"I've worked pretty hard for the last five, six months," said the 43-year-old Armour, who last won at the 1990 Phoenix Open, a span of 366 winless starts. "It paid off today."
Not just on Sunday, but throughout the week. Armour made no worse than par through the first 63 holes, shooting 64-62-63 and then going out in 4-under 31 in the final round, which added up to 25-under. Armour would make bogeys at the 10th and the 18th on Sunday, but he offset that with three more birdies.
Tway commented afterward that he wanted to watch the tape to see just how Armour won, but it boils down to two points -- hitting greens in regulation and then making the birdie opportunities. For the week, Armour hit 59 of 72 greens in regulation (tied for second in the field) and then averaged 27 putts per round (tied for sixth).
"I just played really solid golf, hitting a lot of good solid shots," Armour said. "I mean, the ball was going where I was aiming all week. I was picking out targets, I didn't shoot at a lot of pins unless I had an 8-iron or less. I hit at my targets all week, and I made putts."
Armour admitted he has been blessed with the talent to play golf and probably has underachieved throughout his career, but said he had been working harder than usual on his game. He also switched to a new old-style putter.
"You never know if they're going to work," he said. "I've made a lot of adjustments and played worst."
But Armour liked what he was seeing on the film of his swing.
"When I start to like my swing on film, I know I'm on the right track," Armour said.
Plus, some good-natured chiding from his 13-year-old son Tommy did not hurt.
"He's really been getting on me," Armour said. "He said, 'Dad, you have to start playing better, you have to start making those putts.' He just shakes his head. If I shoot 70 or 71, he would shake his head and say, 'You have to start making putts.' This week I told him, 'I made a few putts this week, didn't I?'" He sure did.
Bureau Report