Sluman wins after strong final round

Jeff Sluman fired a dazzling eight-under-par 64 on Sunday to win the Bank of America Championship by two strokes – his first victory on the Champions Tour.

Playing in his first full season on the elder circuit, Sluman overhauled second-round leader Loren Roberts by carding eight birdies in his bogey-free round to finish at 17-under 199 at Nashawtuc Country Club.

Roberts, who started the day with a one-shot lead, finished alone in second at 15-under 201 despite opening his final round with four birdies in the first six holes.

Sluman more than matched his playing partner with birdies on four of the first five holes before pulling even with Roberts a birdie at number 10.

The 50-year-old Sluman, who had three top-10 finishes in his last five events, forged ahead with another birdie at the 16th hole before clinching the title by dropping long birdie putts at numbers 17 and 18.

Roberts, a seven-time winner on the Champions Tour, birdied the par-five 18th after carding 11 consecutive pars.

It was the second straight bogey-free round for Sluman, who finished the tournament with 18 birdies and just one bogey.

Dana Quigley (68) and Mark McNulty (70) finished in a tie for third at 11-under 205.

Defending champion Jay Haas, who was bidding for a third straight Champions Tour win, was never a factor, finishing with a three-over 75 to wind up 16 shots behind.