Monday, March 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Putting.
A 6-footer here, a 30-footer there and just like that Elkington had a 13-under-par 275 and a 2-stroke victory over Nick Price and Larry Nelson.
Former UNLV star Skip Kendall fell apart after leading the tournament's first round with a 65. He shot three consecutive 4-over-par 76s to finish at 293, 18 strokes behind Elkington.
On a newly toughened course now dotted with 117 bunkers and with close-shaved grass around the greens that virtually funneled shots into the sand, good putting was needed as often to save par as it was to make birdies.
Elkington had a pleasant mix of both as he shot the highest winning score at Doral in six years.
"Generally for me, when I'm putting good, if I'm really competitive, I'm always near the top," Elkington said as he won for the first time on the PGA Tour since the 1995 PGA Championship.
His closing round 69 was one of only four rounds in the 60s on a windy Sunday as more players shots in the 80s -- six -- than shot in the 60s.
Elkington also needed a bit of luck -- an eagle on the third hole when he holed a 6-iron from 150 yards -- to get the victory.
"I played super golf today," Elkington said. "I got off with the eagle at three and from then on I just rode the momentum in."
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