With a re-vamped game, Irwin looks to end drought

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Chris Condon/PGA TOUR

Hale Irwin's new course management strategy is paying off. He hit his first 34 greens in regulation this week.

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- There's not much left for Hale Irwin to accomplish on the Champions Tour.

He has won the most tournaments (45, 16 more than runner-up Lee Trevino), made the most money ($25.5 million), been Player of the Year twice and finished first or second on the money list an amazing seven times.

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Last year he shot his age (65) for the first time. About the only record he doesn't own is becoming the oldest winner in tour history. Mike Fetchick won the 1985 Hilton Head Seniors Invitational on his 63rd birthday.

Irwin has a chance to surpass Fetchick in Sunday's final round of the Allianz Championship at Broken Sound after shooting a four-under 68 Saturday to move into a fourth-place tie, three shots behind leader Peter Senior (67-133).

But that's not going to be what's on his mind when Irwin steps to the first tee. He made that clear Saturday when asked what's left for him to do on this tour. Without hesitation, he said, "No. 46."

"When I'm out there playing, I'm not thinking becoming the oldest winner. Though when I had the putt to shoot my age last year, I wasn't going to leave it short. Those things, while nice, are not the most foremost in my mind."

Irwin has been a fierce competitor long before he earned All-Big Eight honors twice as a defensive back at the University of Colorado. His inner drive helped him win perhaps the most grueling major -- the U.S. Open -- three times during his Hall of Fame career.

But the last three years haven't been peaches and cream for Irwin. He hasn't won a Champions Tour event in more than three years, once went 41 consecutive starts without a top-10 finish and he hasn't finished in the top 45 on the money list the last three seasons.

"Frankly, I have played very poorly the last few years," Irwin said. "There's no way I can sugarcoat that. I think I've tried to make it happen, and that's usually not a good formula for me."

So Irwin has tried to tone down his competitive fire and not be so demanding of his game. Instead of trying to knock down every pin, just hit the green and become more consistent.

The strategy has worked incredibly well. Irwin hit his first 34 greens this week before finally missing the 17th Saturday. Hitting 35-of-36 greens is very stout in windy conditions, especially considering he awoke Saturday with a sore back.

"I'm trying to give myself more of a broader perspective when I'm playing," Irwin said. "Rather than have that funnel so narrow, try to open the door wider and get myself into the room instead of trying to squeeze myself in. I haven't tried to do a lot of fancy things. Instead of trying to get it inside 10 feet with a 3-iron, just hit it on the green."

Irwin would be even closer had he not four-putted the ninth hole in the first round or played the four par-5s in even-par Saturday. He could also be frustrated by only shooting eight-under despite missing just the one green.

"That's OK, though," he said of his conservative approach. "I realize this is something I have to do to get better."

There's not a player on the Champions Tour who is going to be surprised if Irwin wins his 46th title Sunday.

"He's the gold standard out here," said Mike Reid.

"He does such a great job of managing his game," said Tom Lehman, who is tied for second with Rod Spittle, a shot behind Senior.

The days of underestimating Irwin ended with persimmon drivers. But when asked the inevitable question Saturday, Irwin again took a safe response.

"I guess I'm avoiding the question about tomorrow," he said. "I try not to throw myself out there too far ahead. You get wrapped up in what could be rather than what is."