The frustration is over for Craig Stadler.
Without a PGA Tour victoru in seven seasons, Stadler ended the drought with a birdie on the second playoff hole yesterday to beat Russ Cochran in the season-ending Tour Championship.
"You spend so much energy to accomplish something for so many years that when it happens, there's not even the element of emotion," said Stadler, 38.
Don't feel too sorry for the burly "Walrus." He won $360,000 yesterday to boost his 1991 earnings to $827,628, second to Corey Pavin. The victory also moved him past the $4 million earnings mark in his 16 years on the tour.
Stadler and Cochran tied after 72 holes at 5-under-par 279 on the famed No. 2 course at Pinehurst. Each played the last round of the last official event of the season in par 71.
On the first playoff hole, each made a two-putt birdie-4. On the par-3 17th, Stadler flipped his club to his caddie with a gesture saying, "OK, match that, buddy," after hitting to about 8 feet of the flag.
Cochran had little chance, leaving his approach short of the green.
"I'm shellshocked more than anything," Stadler said. "It's been a long time. I've won a couple of foreign events, but that doesn't do it. To win again on this tour . . ."
Fred Couples, meanwhile, dropped behind Stadler into third on DTC the money-winning list, a spot he needed to keep to tie Pavin on the points list that determines the PGA's Player of the Year.
Craig Stadler, .. .. .. .. .. $360,000 .. .. .. 68-68-72-71279
Russ Cochran, .. .. .. .. .. .$216,000 .. .. .. 68-69-71-71279
John Daly, .. .. .. .. .. .. .$138,000 .. .. .. 68-76-68-70282
Bruce Lietzke, .. .. .. .. .. .$96,000 .. .. .. 71-69-72-71283
Chip Beck, .. .. .. .. .. .. ..$71,000 .. .. .. 72-70-72-71285
Nolan Henke, .. .. .. .. .. .. $71,000 .. .. .. 69-70-74-72285
Jim Gallagher, .. .. .. .. .. .$71,000 .. .. .. 71-74-69-71285
Nick Price, .. .. .. .. .. .. .$71,000 .. .. .. 70-67-75-73285
Steve Elkington, .. .. .. .. . $60,000 .. .. .. 69-75-71-71286
Corey Pavin, .. .. .. .. .. .. $54,000 .. .. .. 74-69-72-72287
Ian Baker-Finch, .. .. .. .. ..$54,000 .. .. .. 68-76-71-72287
Jeff Sluman, .. .. .. .. .. .. $54,000 .. .. .. 74-71-69-73287
Ted Schulz, .. .. ... .. .. .. $46,467 .. .. .. 70-71-75-72288
Jay Don Blake, .. .. . . .. .. $46,467 .. .. .. 69-72-74-73288
Billy Andrade, .. .. .. .. .. .$46,467 .. .. .. 73-74-68-73288
