Winner at the 2000 Bob Hope
Chrysler Classic
| Winner | Score |
| Jesper Parnevik | -27 |
BERMUDA DUNES, Calif. (AP) -- In his 10 previous victories around the world, Jesper Parnevik had never won a nail-biter like he faced Sunday. It couldn't have come in a more appropriate tournament than the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
His father is one of the most popular comedians in Sweden, and Bob Hope was among Bo Parnevik's favorite. The 96-year-old tournament host settled into his seat behind the 18th green just in time to see a stylish finish to a slapstick show.
Parnevik rallied from three strokes down, then blew a two-shot lead. He thought about a 59 and started hitting shots like someone shooting 79. He hit a spectator in the head with one of his drives. And he had to save his trademark victory cigar for the driving range, not the 18th green.
In the closing scene, Parnevik made a two-putt birdie on the final hole to win the Hope Classic by one shot over Rory Sabbatini.
``It was a little more interesting than I wanted it to be, but that's just how I do things,'' said the zany Swede who wears retro clothing, the bill of his cap flipped up and has been known to eat volcanic dirt to cleanse his system.
Parnevik closed with a 6-under 65 -- his 11th consecutive round under par -- to finish at 331 for his third PGA Tour victory in as many years. The $540,000 check was the largest of his career.
The victory wasn't secure until Sabbatini failed to birdie the par-5 18th at Bermuda Dunes. The 23-year-old South African hit his tee shot under a tree, which kept him from reaching the green in two. He hit his third shot over the palms to 20 feet, but his putt to force a playoff never had a chance.
DIVOTS: Justin Leonard will skip Doral and play for the first time in the Dubai Desert Classic. ... Trey Holland has been elected to a one-year term as president of the U.S. Golf Association, taking over for F. Morgan ``Buzz'' Taylor. Holland, a member of the USGA executive committee since 1991, has served as vice president the past four years. ... Before joining the Senior PGA Tour at the ACE Classic in Naples, Fla., 50-year-old Lanny Wadkins played in his 25th Hope Classic. He was doing fine until back-to-back triple bogeys on Friday, and he wound up missing the cut. ... It was only the 10th time in 30 rounds of the Hope Classic that Duval failed to break 70.
 | European & PGA Tour Stats |
| LPGA & Senior Tour Stats |