Calcavecchia Sets Scoring Mark at Phoenix Open
S C O T T S D A L E, Ariz., Jan. 29 -- If another win by Mark Calcavecchia inthe Phoenix Open wasn’t surprising, the margin of victory was.
Calcavecchia got in a zone and stayed there. He startedrewriting tournament records halfway through and, at the end, hedid the same to the PGA Tour record book.
"All in all, it was my best-ever performance for sure," hesaid Sunday after finishing four rounds at 28-under-par 256, thelowest 72-hole score in history. "I just don't see how I couldever top this."
The 72-hole record was set by Mike Souchak, who shot 257 at the1955 Texas Open — five years before Calcavecchia was born.
"I've looked at that record, and it never crossed my mind thatI could attain or do something like that," he said. "I know I'mstreaky, but I'm not that good. Looking at the board when I was outon the green and seeing a red 28, it just looked crazy."
Also Set Record with 32 Birdies
Calcavecchia ended a three-year victory drought and addedanother Phoenix trophy to those he won in 1989 and 1992. He closedwith 67 — his worst score of the event — after completing the last 10 holes of the third round.
He was 10-under for the 28 holes he played Sunday and birdiedfour of the last five as he zeroed in on Souchak's record.
Calcavecchia also set a record by birdieing 32 of the 72 holes.
Rocco Mediate, who won a Phoenix title in 1999, finished at 264.His 20-under would have won most events, but Mediate was eightshots back.
"He just made the putts he had to make," Mediate said. "Hehit great iron shots for three straight days and never backed offonce. Someone asked me if he was aggressive. Well, I guess. Hedidn't back off at all, and that's a champion right there."
Steve Lowery was third at 268, Scott Verplank fourth at 270 andTiger Woods tied for fifth at 271.
Swing Adjustment Pays Off
Calcavecchia made a swing adjustment last week on the advice ofButch Harmon of Las Vegas, who told him in a phone call that he wasoverswinging. Calcavecchia fired an effortless 65 in the Wednesdaypro-am and knew he was ready.
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