Weir loses big lead but recovers to repeat at Nissan Open

LOS ANGELES -- An impeccable short game gave Mike Weir a seven-shot lead. He had to rely on it again to spare him an ignominious collapse Sunday in the Nissan Open.

Weir staved off a late charge by Shigeki Maruyama, nearly holing out a chip from the grassy hill above the 18th green at Riviera to save par for a one-shot victory, making him the first repeat winner of the Nissan Open in nine years.

He closed with an even-par 71, avoiding a playoff only when Maruyama's 12-foot par putt slid by on the right side.

The Canadian became the sixth repeat champion at Riviera, finishing at 17-under 267.

Weir was seven shots clear of Maruyama when he chipped in for birdie on No. 3, and still had a five-shot lead when he made the turn. But a two-shot swing on the 10th -- a bogey by Weir, a birdie by Maruyama -- changed everything.

Maruyama finally caught Weir with birdies on the 15th and 16th, and a steady rain only added to the pressure.

Maruyama hit into the rough on the 18th and couldn't reach the green. Weir missed to the right, leaving himself a delicate chip with not much green in front of the flag. The chip was perfect, and caught the right edge of the cup.

Maruyama, who has a membership at Riviera, closed with a 67. Stuart Appleby (66) was another two shots back.

John Daly, coming off his first PGA Tour victory in nine years, made six birdies on his final 12 holes for a 67 and finished fourth. Tiger Woods shot a 64 to tie for seventh.

Champions Tour

LUTZ, Fla. -- Zimbabwe's Mark McNulty became the 11th player to win in his Champions Tour debut, shooting a 3-under-68 for a one-stroke victory in the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.

McNulty, a 16-time winner on the European tour, finished at 13-under 200 to hold off Larry Nelson.

Fuzzy Zoeller made 11 birdies -- seven in a row -- and flirted with a 59 before shooting 61 after a bogey on the 18th. Zoeller tied for third with Tom Purtzer (68) at 11 under.

Nationwide Tour

ADELAIDE, Australia -- Australia's Euan Walters won the Jacob's Creek Open, closing with a 3-under 68 for a five-stroke victory at Kooyonga.

Walters finished with a 9-under 275 total in the tournament co-sanctioned by the Nationwide and Australasian tours.

Australians Wayne Grady (71), Brendan Jones (71) and Anthony Painter (72) tied for second. -- From wire reports