Monday, Oct. 13, 2003 | 10:06 a.m.
Allow Charlie Baron to script a perfect Sunday at the Las Vegas Invitational, one taking place in front of discerning potential title sponsors, and the tournament director probably offers something like this:
Under a fifth consecutive day of crystal blue skies, oversized galleries commandeer the green hills adjacent to the 18th green after spending hours roaming both the vendor booths and the golf course. Both the crowd and the network TV audience watch a tense battle between two personable golfers down the back nine, a faceoff that culminates in dueling birdie putts for victory.
That ideal scenario played out Sunday at TPC at Summerlin, where Stuart Appleby held off Scott McCarron to win his first PGA Tour event in more than four years by sinking a 15-foot birdie on the first playoff hole.
Appleby pocketed the $720,000 winner's share of the $4 million purse, one not backed by a title sponsor after Invensys pulled out following the 2002 event.
So, after all the good feeling of Sunday, are we any closer to knowing if the LVI is coming back next year? Don't ask Baron just yet.
"Let us catch our breath," Baron said Sunday night, hours after another 90-hole birdie festival wrapped up. "Let us enjoy the moment."
It was quite a moment. A three-way battle among Appleby, McCarron, and Steve Flesch entertained throughout the day, with Flesch faltering on the back nine to make it a duel. Appleby shot a 3-under 69 -- his highest score of the week -- and finished in a tie at 31-under with McCarron, who played a hot hand into a 6-under 66. The total score of 328 for Appleby and McCarron breaks the tournament record of 329, last posted by Bob Estes in 2001.
Appleby and McCarron missed birdie putts on No. 18 to send the tournament to its first playoff since 1996, when Tiger Woods defeated Davis Love III to win his first PGA Tour event. The playoff began with a second try at No. 18 and the two placed their second-shot approaches in virtually the same spot, with Appleby slightly away and putting first.
"I had a feeling I could make this putt quite easily," Appleby said.
That he did, rolling it in on the left edge of the cup. McCarron's attempt to match faded left.
"I was very surprised," McCarron said. "I thought I made it when I hit it."
The leader heading into the final round, Appleby needed to regroup quickly after bogeying the fifth and sixth holes and briefly losing his lead to Flesch.
"What I said to myself was, if I'm going to sit in the media room and have a speech (after winning), I'm going to have to finish 7-under in the last 12 holes," Appleby said.
He managed a 4-under during that stretch, a strong finish under the glaring lights of Sunday competition. The latter can also be said of the LVI's final round, which may be more final than some hope.
That certainly includes the players, who largely enjoy playing in Las Vegas. McCarron, who was given a season-saving sponsor's exemption to the tournament in 1995, holds a special regard for both the city and the tournament.
"I hope we can continue this event," McCarron said. "It is a great event and I am sure someone will step up. We will find a sponsor for this tournament."
Appleby's LVI victory this year followed a tie for second in 2002. The native Australian is understandably fond of having a Tour spot in Las Vegas.
"I love it," Appleby said. "Great weather, great hospitality, very entertaining. Whatever format we have -- amateurs, no amateurs -- we need to keep it."
The pro-am format that helps keep Woods, the biggest draw for both sponsors and fans, away from the LVI could be revamped. Amateurs pay $7,500 per person to play three rounds alongside the pros under the format, which is largely at a sponsor's discretion.
Sponsors might like the large crowds that packed Sunday's final round, but lesser turnout plagued the rest of the tournament, notably in the first three days. Baron was pleased with the final-day attendance, though, in addition to the smaller groups of faithful from the early rounds at TPC at Summerlin, TPC at the Canyons, and Southern Highlands.
"The crowds were very supportive," Baron said. "(Sunday), that hill (at No. 18) looked pretty full coming down the home stretch."
Now that the LVI finds itself in its own home stretch, Baron hopes to see as much support from a sponsor before another beautiful October arrives.
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