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Sports

Haas wins third Rock Barn title

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Conover, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Jay Haas fired a 5-under 66 on Sunday and he won the Greater Hickory Kia Classic at Rock Barn for a third time.

Haas completed his 17th Champions Tour title at 17-under-par 196. He also won this crown in 2005 and 2009. The 2005 victory was his first on the Champions Tour, while this victory was his first since turning 60-years-old last December.

"I was pretty uptight all day long. I played pretty well, but a couple 3-putts were costly," Haas admitted. "Kirk (Triplett) made a couple birdies coming in and with him winning last week, I knew he was on a roll. The birdie at 17, I won't forget that anytime soon."

Haas' total of 196 set a new tournament scoring record. The old mark of 197 was set in 2011 by Mark Wiebe and James Mason, then tied a year later by Michael Allen and Olin Browne.

Joe Durant and Triplett, last week's SAS Championship winner, both shot 66 in the final round to share second place at minus-15.

David Frost posted a 3-under 68 to grab fourth place at 13-under-par 200. John Cook closed with a 66 and ended one stroke further back at minus-12.

Stephen Ames fired a 6-under 65 and jumped 11 spots into a share of sixth at 11-under-par 202. He was joined there by Wayne Levi (69), Paul Goydos (67), Skip Kendall (66) and Doug Garwood (66).

Haas followed a birdie at the second with a 4-foot birdie putt on No. 3. After a pair of pars, he made another 4-footer for birdie at the sixth to move to 15-under, where he joined Durant in the lead.

Durant had birdied five in a row from the second, but he played the final 12 holes in even-par.

Around the turn, Haas dropped his approach at the 10th inside three feet and kicked that in for birdie and the lead. He faltered to a 3-putt bogey at the 12th to dip back into a tie for the lead.

Haas came right back with a short birdie effort on the 13th to regain the lead. He ran off three pars in a row from the 14th. Haas moved two shots ahead thanks to a 16-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th. He parred the last to seal the win.

"This is certainly the cherry on top. I've played really, really well all year long. I've had a few chances to win. That shot at 17, I didn't do that a few times when I had a chance," said Haas. "Just to know that I can still do it is pretty incredible, and here in Hickory, sight of my first win, it is even more special."

Durant followed his five straight birdies with eight pars in a row. After tripping to a bogey on the 15th, he birdied the last to share second.

Triplett got off to a quick start with birdies on the first and third. He also birdied the sixth to move to 13-under. Back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15 got Triplett within one of the lead. He parred the final three to end along side Durant.

NOTES: Haas earned $240,000 for the win ... Prior to this, his last victory was at the 2012 Principal Charity Classic ... The Champions Tour heads to Texas next week for the AT&T Championship, where Kenny Perry birdied the first playoff hole last year to beat Bernhard Langer.