Irwin, Morgan seek another big payday
Posted: Thursday October 01, 1998 12:48 PM
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Irwin is the leading money winner on the Senior Tour, earning $2,367,420 in 19 events Matthew Stockman/Allsport |
CLEMMONS, North Carolina (AP) -- Under normal circumstances Walter Hall
would be a solid favorite to win this weekend's Vantage
Championship.
After all, Hall lives one mile from the Tanglewood golf course,
has played it an estimated 500 times and has earned more than
$565,000 this year, good for 22nd on the money list.
But these aren't exactly normal times on the Senior PGA Tour.
"You are never a favorite in a tournament when either Hale
[Irwin] or Gil [Morgan] is in the field," said Hall, shaking his
head over the dominance of the two golfers.
Not that Hall or the rest of the field in the 50-and-over
circuit are conceding the $225,000 top prize to Irwin or Morgan,
but the pair have quite a track record this season. They have
combined to win one-third of the events, Irwin taking six and
Morgan five.
"A few years ago the question was no one's dominating," said
Irwin, who became the first golfer to win more than $2 million in a
season last year. "Now you've got Gil who's having an exceptional
year, and I, too, am playing well. Now the question is, 'Is it
good?'
"Somebody's gotta figure out if it is good or bad, and I don't
think it's up to Gil or I to make that determination. I think it
certainly raises the competition level of things myself."
At least between Irwin and Morgan.
"We've been able to create a lot of the rivalry in that
regard," Morgan said. "Hale and I are very good friends over all,
but we're very, very competitive. I think as the [Senior] tour
progresses, you'll see more good players coming."
Morgan points to players such as Tom Watson and Lanny Wadkins,
who will join the senior circuit at the end of next season.
"It's a progression," Morgan said. "We all know that as we
get older our careers are gonna go downhill at some time. Not many
athletes have the opportunity to have a second career, so I think
it is good for the game."
Irwin, with his six wins, five second-places and three third-places, leads
the money list with more than $2.36 million. A win by Morgan on
Sunday would push him within $97,000 of the $2 million mark and on
the heels of Irwin with five tournaments remaining.
Irwin has dominated here before, winning two of the last three
Tanglewood titles with bogey-free tournaments. The year Irwin
didn't win it -- 1996 -- he finished in a three-way tie for second.
He shot rounds of 64, 62 and 69 last year to capture the fourth
richest winning purse on the Senior Tour.
"I'm trying to downplay [a third title] in my own mind and just
let things happen," Irwin said. "Part of the success I've had
over the last few years is that I've tried not to push that button
to try to make it happen and just sort of take what you get and go
with that."
Hall said he would try to keep pace with Irwin, knowing he and
most others likely will fight a losing battle.
"He is the best putter, he's the best iron player and just the
best all-around player," Hall said of Irwin, whose scoring average
of 68.67 is a full stroke better than second-place Morgan. "When
you are playing with Hale on Sunday you know you are in pretty good
shape."
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