Published June 27. 2005 6:01AM Gadsden Times

Pair hold on for win

McCollum, Johnson earn lefty golf titles.

By J.J. Hicks
Times Sports Correspondent

Tim McCollum and Daryl Johnson almost saw their respective big leads evaporate on Sunday.

McCollum had to hold off a furious charge from Johnny Brasher in the final round of the 56th annual Alabama State Left-Handed Golf Tournament, but he managed to hold on by one stroke to win his third consecutive Championship division title.

Johnson, meanwhile, struggled on Sunday, shooting an 85 after shooting consecutive 77s on the tournament's first two days. Johnson's seven-shot lead going into the final round shrunk to two on Sunday, but it was enough to hold off Gene Ellison and Darrell Lovell.

McCollum saw an eight shot lead deteriorate into just one, as Brasher stormed into contention with a 69, the best round of the tournament. McCollum shot a 78 on Sunday and finished at eight over par, and won his fifth overall tournament title.

"It's a big relief," said McCollum. "I didn't think I was gonna make it. Johnny came out of the gate and birdied the first three holes. He got my attention, and I made a couple of mistakes on the front. Next thing I know, he's breathing down my neck. I three putted seventeen, and he birdied it. All of a sudden, I started the day with an eight shot lead and I go to the eighteenth tee with a one shot lead. I was just holding on and he was coming like a train down the track at me."

Brasher, who has now finished second four times at the tournament, never expected to be in contention at the end.

"I thought if I could cut the lead in half, that would be respectable," he said. "I started off birdie, birdie, birdie, and then he (McCollum) made a couple of mistakes and I thought I had a good chance then. But he got his stuff together. He's a good golfer, he's hard to beat. You're not gonna rattle a guy like him."

What made Brasher's comeback even more amazing was that he considered pulling out of the tournament before the last day after his best friend was killed in a car accident Saturday night.

"I really felt like he was with me out there today," he said.

Johnson, on the other hand, didn't face any one particular golfer making a charge so much as his own mistakes.

"I'm a little disappointed today," he said. "I played great for two days. Sunday's round is always a little different from Friday and Saturday's. You've got a little more on your shoulders, and you think about that stuff. Like I said, yesterday, you can't count these guys out, and it showed, they proved it today."

Despite not being happy with his Sunday showing, Johnson was pleased to win his second straight title.

"It feels good," he said. "It's a big accomplishment. It's something I was trying to do, come out and win the Open division. That would prove to me that I'm ready to take the next step, which is to go to the Championship division and try my luck there."

This is Johnson's third overall Open championship.

Johnson, the tournament president, also had good things to say about Twin Bridges Golf Club and its staff.

"Leslie Drummond and her staff have treated us like royalty for three days," he said. "A lot of our guys in this tournament has commended the staff for what they did for us. We look forward to having another one here, hopefully next year."

In the Senior division, Herman Johnson pulled out an easy ten stroke victory, shooting fifteen over par for two days, while M.J. Denard finished second and Joe Fuller came in third.

In the Championship division, Steve Phillips came in third at fifteen over, seven shots behind McCollum.

The winner of each division was awarded a trophy and gift certificates.