Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 30, 1993 TAG: 9308300052
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: AKRON, OHIO LENGTH: Medium
Allem, one of eight players within a shot of the lead starting the final round, pulled away with six birdies in an eight-hole stretch and never looked back in beating Nick Price, defending champion Craig Stadler and Jim Gallagher Jr.
The stocky, 35-year-old South African capped off the best final round in the history of this elite, winners-only event with a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
With all the other contenders still on the golf course, he responded to a standing ovation from the gallery by raising both arms to the skies.
Even though six players had yet to finish, Allem, the spectators and the other golfers knew it was over when he finished with a 10-under 270 total.
From that point on it was a struggle for second place.
"[Allem] just blew us away," said Price, who had a closing 68. "He didn't give us a chance. Ten under. I can't believe it. That's a great round of golf."
"Sixty-two?" Stadler questioned, his eyebrows raised. "Good Lord. Is that what he shot? No wonder he blew us away."
Stadler, who had 67, and Price gained a share of second when Gallagher hooked his drive off the 18th tee and made bogey, finishing with a 68.
Vijay Singh of Fiji came on with a 66 and was fifth at 277. David Edwards (72-279) was the only other to break par for four rounds over the parched, spiked-up, treacherous greens of the Firestone Country Club.
Greg Norman, in a share of the lead after three rounds, had double-bogeys on the first and ninth holes and wasn't a factor in the title chase.
He finished with a 73 for 280.
The victory was Allem's second of the season, third of his American career and 17th around the world.
It was worth $360,000 from the total purse of $2 million and raised his season's earnings to $770,438.
It also provided him with a 10-year exemption on the PGA Tour, which he has played since finishing second in the 1987 World Series of Golf.
by CNB