Nelson rallies from seven-stroke deficit to win Administaff Small Business Classic
GolfWeb Wire Services

SPRING, Texas -- Larry Nelson rallied from far off the lead and made a 5-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat Hale Irwin and win the Administaff Small Business Classic Sunday.

Nelson, who started the final round seven shots back, closed with an 8-under 64 and tied Irwin (67) at 14-under 202, winning his second Champions Tour event of the year and 19th overall.

Peter Jacobsen just missed getting into the playoff. The U.S. Senior Open champion, who is recovering from hip surgery, made bogey at the 18th after driving into the water. He finished with a 67 and tied second-round leader Wayne Levi (72) for third at 203.

Finishing three shots back at 205 were Morris Hatalsky (68), Jim Dent (69) and Jim Thorpe (69).

In the playoff, Nelson and Irwin missed the green with their second shots into the par-5 18th. Irwin's shot settled on the fringe behind the green, while Nelson hit into a greenside bunker, about 50 feet from the pin.

Nelson chipped to within 5 feet, while Irwin left his putt 19 feet from the hole and then missed his birdie try. Nelson sealed the win by rolling in his birdie putt.

Nelson's rally matched the biggest comeback of the year on the Champions Tour. Ed Fiori rallied from seven shots back to win the MasterCard Championship in Hawaii in January.

Nelson was 6 under at the start of the round and after four birdies and a bogey on the front nine, he made his big move on the back. Nelson birdied three of the first four holes on the back nine and tied Jacobsen for the lead at 14 under before making bogey at the 17th. He rebounded with a birdie at No. 18, his sixth on the back nine, and watched as Irwin finished with a birdie to force the playoff.

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