GOLF ROUNDUP : Great Day for New Zealand: Waite, Charles Win

Second-year pro Grant Waite outplayed veteran Tom Kite in the final round of the Kemper Open, shooting a one-under-par 70 to get his first victory on the PGA Tour by one stroke.

Waite, paired with Kite in the final twosome Sunday, held a two-stroke lead over his partner with five holes left at Potomac, Md. After falling into a tie with consecutive bogeys, Waite took the lead with a 40-foot birdie putt on No. 16.

He then parred the final two holes at the TPC of Avenel course, clinching the victory with an 18-inch putt on No. 18 after blasting out of a bunker, to win $234,000. Kite barely missed an 18-foot putt for a birdie on 18.

Waite, who trailed Kite by a stroke entering the final round, finished at nine-under 275. The New Zealand native came into the Kemper with career earnings of $134,689, having never finished better than fourth.

Kite, bidding for his 20th victory, shot a 72.

Scott Hoch and Michael Bradley both shot 68 to finish in a tie for third at 277. Bob Estes had a 66 for 278.

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Bob Charles shot a par 70 to beat Dave Stockton by a stroke for the Bell Atlantic Classic title and become the first golfer to earn $4 million on the Senior PGA Tour.

He had rounds of 67-67-70 for a six-under total of 204 at Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pa. It was his second victory of the year and the purse of $97,500 boosted the 57-year-old New Zealander’s career earnings on the senior tour to $4,039,195.

The left-handed Charles offset a bogey at No. 10 with a birdie at No. 12 and parred in for his 19th senior title.

Lee Trevino, the defending champion, led by a stroke through 12 holes, but he lipped a three-foot par putt at the 13th and went over the green to bogey the 14th. Trevino missed another three-foot par putt at No. 17 and finished two shots back after a 72.

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Val Skinner, four strokes back when the day began, shot a 67 that included an eagle and beat Betsy King by two strokes in the Lady Keystone Open at Hershey, Pa., ending a six-year victory drought on the LPGA Tour.

Skinner, whose last victory was in the 1987 MasterCard International at White Plains, N.Y., completed three rounds over the 6,348-yard West Course of the Hershey Country Club at six-under 210.

King closed with a 70 and was at 212. Julie Larsen had a 72 for 213.

“When someone chips in for eagle and again for a birdie you’ve got to think it’s going to be their day,” King said.

Brandie Burton, who had a two-stroke lead after two rounds, faltered to a final-round 75, dropping into a tie at 214 with Tina Barrett.