Cook Makes the Most of Tips From Venturi

The last time John Cook turned to mentor Ken Venturi for help, Cook’s game was in shambles and his patience was shot.

Things will be a bit happier when they get together again next week.

“We’ll catch up on a few things,” Cook said Sunday after shooting a 2-under-par 69 at Sutton, Mass., to win the CVS Charity Classic, his second PGA Tour victory in a month. In a field missing most big names, Cook was 16-under for 72 holes to beat Russ Cochran by three strokes.

Cochran entered the final round four strokes back, then went 5-under on the first four holes to gain a share of the lead. But Cook birdied three consecutive holes and Cochran played the back nine 2-over to finish a 68.

Bruce Fleisher, tied for the lead for two days and three back after three, had a 71 on the Pleasant Valley course and said he was happy to finish third. Four players tied for fourth at 9-under.

Cook won $216,000 to surpass the $5 million mark in career earnings and become the fifth multiple winner on the tour this year. He also won the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn.

It was quite a turnaround for a golfer who considered tossing his clubs in March before an emergency tutorial from Venturi--a U.S. Open champion, CBS analyst and family friend--set him straight.

“I could see somewhere in the distance, maybe, a win,” Cook said. “To win two times in the last three weeks that I’ve played is maybe a little more than I could see coming.’

*

Scotland’s Brian Barnes shot a 2-over-par 74 in windy and rainy conditions at Portrush, Northern Ireland, to win his second consecutive Senior British Open title.

Barnes, with an 11-under-par 277, finished three strokes ahead New Zealand’s Bob Charles--who also shot a 74--and David Oakley, who had a par-72.

*

Zimbabwe’s Mark McNulty shot a 3-under-par 68--his worst round of the tournament--to win the Dutch Open by one stroke over Scott Hoch at Hilversum, Netherlands.

Hoch, the defending champion who tied the par-71 Hilversumsche course record with a 63 on Saturday, finished with a 66 to end up one stroke behind McNulty’s 18-under-par 266.

Scotland’s Raymond Russel also shot a 66 to tie for third place with New Zealand’s Frank Nobilo at 15-under 269.