Stocktons beat the Millers on the first hole of sudden death

When Dave Stockton was invited into the interview room Monday prior to the Sorenson Champions Challenge pro-am, all of the questions directed toward him concerned the fall Ryder Cup matches for which Stockton will be an assistant captain on the U.S. team. Nobody dreamed the 68-year-old would have a chance to win the actual tournament a day later at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club.

Yet there he was Tuesday afternoon sharing the giant $100,000 first prize check along with his son, Dave Jr., after the two-man scramble event, before hustling off to catch a plane to Boston for a Champions Tour event.

The Stocktons fired a 15-under-par 55 and then edged Johnny Miller and his son, Scott, on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, when the younger Stockton sank a 6-foot birdie putt. It marked the elder Stockton's fourth victory in Utah, along with his two Champions Tour victories in 1993 and 1997 and a Champions Challenge win with his son in 2000.

"This was really a hoot," said Dave Sr. "Utah's been great to me. It's always fun to come back. We've had a good track record here."

"This is a special place for us," added 39-year-old Dave Jr. "It was fun to play and spend time with my dad. We just had one of those days where everything clicked. We won't forget it."

The Stocktons were one of the first groups to finish Tuesday and following their 55, they were invited to the press room. At one point when the elder Stockton was asked about another victory in Utah, his son quickly said, "not yet."

And he was right.

Just about that time, the Millers were making an eagle at the par-5 14th on a 50-foot putt by Scott to move to 13-under par on the day. That meant they only had to birdie three of the final four holes to win.

However, they had to work to par No. 15 and both Millers missed from 15 feet at the par-3 16th. At No. 17, Johnny hit within 6 feet and drained the putt, giving them a chance to tie at 18.

At the shortened 167-yard par-3 18th, Scott hit his tee shot within 10 feet and sank the putt after Johnny missed, setting up the playoff.

"We hadn't even hit a ball in an hour and I run back there and they're already teeing off," said Stockton Jr. "I could feel my heart pounding and I hadn't felt that since I played on tour and that was awhile ago."

After the Miller's best shot finished 15 feet away, Dave Stockton put his approach shot seven feet away. Then Dave Jr. stuck his 7-iron a foot closer.

"I hit a good shot in there just the way I wanted," said Dave Jr. "(His shot) freed me up and it was probably the best iron shot I hit all day."

Both of the Miller's putts slid by the high side of the hole. After dad missed, Dave Jr. rolled in the putt for the victory.

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