Eaks comes so close to win

NEWPORT BEACH — R.W. Eaks proved gutty to say the least at the Toshiba Classic Sunday at Newport Beach Country Club and nearly won for the first time on the Champions Tour.

He was two shots behind the champion Jay Haas, but Eaks actually came closer to his first win last year at the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn in Conover, N.C.

That’s where he lost a one-hole playoff to Andy Bean. Still, for his efforts he got a check for $140,800. At this year’s Toshiba Classic he collected $145,200.

In the season-long Charles Schwab Cup race, Eaks is now in third with 328 points, behind Loren Roberts (418) and Haas (601), last year’s cup winner.

ROBERTS EYES RECORD

Roberts was the leader of the Schwab Cup race entering the Toshiba Classic. He finished tied for 15th at 10-under-par 203. He shot 67-70-67. On Sunday, he tied Larry Nelson’s Champions Tour record for consecutive rounds of par or better at 32.

A LIVELY GALLERY

Different reactions came about amid the gallery that followed Jay Haas in Sunday’s final round. During Haas’ string of four straight birdies, several people shook their head in disbelief.

“Can you believe this guy?” one fan said. After Haas’ breathtaking birdie on No. 10: “That’s going to be on SportsCenter,” another fan said.

Haas and Peter Jacobsen made sure to keep the crowd entertained, joking with each other after Haas’ putt dropped in on the 10th.

CHARITY GOAL MET

Hoag Hospital, a partner of the Toshiba Classic, set out to achieve a goal before the tournament started and met it. The event raised $1,310,000 for charity, marking the eighth straight year the Toshiba Classic raised at least $1 million.

Over the 10 years Hoag has been partnered with the Toshiba, they reached the goal of raising more than $10 million.

BIG CROWDS AT NBCC

Sunday’s attendance of 25,000 pushed the overall attendance at the Toshiba Classic to more than 80,000.

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For video coverage of the tournament action click here