Golf Roundup : Pavin Has 8-Stroke Victory by Shooting 259 in Texas Open

Corey Pavin equaled the second-best 72-hole score in PGA Tour history with a 259 in cruising to an 8-stroke victory Sunday in the Texas Open golf tournament at San Antonio.

Pavin shot a bogey-free 66 that left him virtually unchallenged over the final 18 holes.

Tom Kite once closed within 4 strokes, but Pavin responded with birdies on 3 of the next 4 holes, had an 8-shot margin at the turn and wasn’t threatened again. Kite finished 10 back.

The victory was Pavin’s first of the year and seventh of a 5-year pro career. He earned $108,000 and has made $202,272 this season.

Robert Wrenn, who was 12 shots back after 3 rounds, shot a 62 to take second at 267. Pat McGowan was third at 268.

Ireland won the $1-million Dunhill Cup team golf tournament with a dramatic turnaround in the last few holes to gain a 2-1 victory over Australia at St. Andrew’s, Scotland.

“It’s the greatest thing ever to happen to Irish golf,” said Des Smyth, who defeated Australia’s Rodger Davis, 71-73, in the match that decided the title.

Smyth, 2 shots down with 3 holes to play, produced a superb finish to shoot a 1-under-par 71 and beat Rodger Davis by 2 strokes, giving Ireland the vital point in their first-ever Dunhill Cup victory.