Posted at 5:20 p.m., Monday, November 5, 2007
Golf: Elway, Gulbis win skills event
Advertiser Staff
AVENTURA, Fla. John Elway knows a thing or two about closing out a win, and it showed on the golf course today.The Pro Football Hall of Famer finished strong by winning the short-iron event, and he and Natalie Gulbis won the Golf Skills Challenge at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club.
Elway and Gulbis split the $310,000 grand prize. Dan Marino and Bubba Watson finished second to win $210,000.
Roger Clemens and Greg Norman placed third ($155,000), followed by Jerry Rice and Peter Jacobsen in fourth ($125,000).
Gulbis, who captured her first LPGA tour victory this year at the Evian Masters, won the pitch-over-hazard, trouble-shot and chip-shot competitions. She was the lone woman in the eight-player field.
Elway secured the win for his team when he sent his third shot to within 3 feet, 7 inches of the cup on the 18th hole.
"Natalie played so well early," Elway said. "Knowing that you have that backup behind you makes it a little bit easier when you're up there."
Gulbis put her team in great position early when she sent a shot across the water and within 4 feet, 8 inches in the trouble-shot event. She then holed her first attempt in the chip-shot competition.
"Being the only girl, there's a little bit of extra pressure, extra desire to hold you own," Gulbis said. "It's so much fun. It's great for me to be around these people."