Duval Takes BellSouth Classic

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

April 1, 1999 / 8:16 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Last year, David Duval set the PGA Tour's single-season earnings record with $2,591,031. In just over three months, he is well on his way to doubling that total.

Duval cemented his status as the world's No. 1 player heading into next week's Masters by rallying for a two-stroke victory and breaking his own earnings record Sunday at the $2.5 million BellSouth Classic at the TPC at Sugarloaf.

Two shots back after 14 holes, Duval birdied two of the last four en route to a 5-under-par 67 and a 72-hole total of 18-under 270.

After earning $900,000 for capturing last week's Players Championship, he collected $450,000 Sunday and already has made $2,598,300 in eight events this season.

Today's win was Duval's fourth of the year, second straight and the 11th in his last 34 starts, dating back to the end of 1997.

Duval's close friend, former Georgia Tech All-American Stewart Cink, finished second in his home state at 16-under 272 after a final-round 70. Cink shared the lead with Mike Weir after Saturday's third round.

PGA Tour rookie Rory Sabbatini, who led after the second round, took a crucial double-bogey on the 17th hole before settling for a third-place tie with John Huston at 15-under 273. Both shot 70s.

Weir and Franklin Langham finished four shots back, one ahead of Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson and Glen Day.

The par-72 TPC at Sugarloaf measures 7,259 yards.