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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:39 a.m., Sunday, March 23, 2008

Golf: Kraft outlasts Van Pelt to win in Puerto Rico

By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Now, it's official — Greg Kraft is a winner on the PGA Tour.

Kraft shot a 70 to outlast Bo Van Pelt down the stretch, finishing 14 under for a one-shot victory today at the inaugural Puerto Rico Open.

Jerry Kelly (70), at No. 63 the highest-ranked golfer here, and Van Pelt (72) were second at Trump International Golf Club. Briny Baird (72) and Kevin Stadler (67) were another shot behind.

Kraft won the Deposit Guarantee Classic in Mississippi 15 years ago. Since it took place the same weekend as the Masters, however, it didn't count as an "official" tour win.

The world's best may have again been elsewhere for Kraft's latest success, playing Doral's Blue Monster in the World Golf Championship's CA Championships.

This time, though, there'll be no asterisks.

Kraft earned $630,000 — more than he's made on the PGA Tour combined since 2003 — and has secured playing privileges through 2010. He had played only two other PGA Tour events this season, his best finish before now a tie for 19th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico, which also came the week of a WGC tournament.