THIRD ROUND leader Loren Roberts shot a final round 67 yesterday to win the MCI Classic at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina finishing at a tournament record 19 under par to heat Mark O'Meara by three strokes.

Roberts got his third career win, but his first outside of Bay Hill, where he won the Nestle Invitational in 1994 and 1995. "I always felt that I would win on this golf course," said Roberts.

Roberts began the final round with a four stroke lead, and never lost the lead, though the margin fluctuated during the day between three and five strokes.

Roberts only briefly got into trouble. He three potted the sixth for his only bogey, and mis hit his tee shot on the seventh, but made an 18 foot putt for the par save.

O'Meira birdied four of the last five holes, but that effort was only good enough to separate him from third place finisher Scott Hoch as Roberts holed birdie Potts on three of the final five.

Roberts set the new tournament record, heating Hale Irwin's 8 under effort from 1994, with a 35 foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole. The win was worth $252,000 and moved Roberts to 13th place on the 1996 US money list at $355,999.

US Masters winner Nick Faldo, finished at five under par 280 after a final round 70. "I just wasn't focused," said Faldo. "It's tough to give it that little hit extra that you need to do well. Last week really took a lot out of me, but given the outcome, I'm pleased."

Citing exhaustion, Faldo pulled out of next week's tournament in Greensboro. He will take the next three weeks off, then play in England at the Benson and Hedges International Open and the Volvo PGA. He will not return to the US Tour until the Buick Classic the week prior to the US Open in June.

The man who lost to Faldo at Augusta, Greg Norman, has also made his last appearance on tour for a while. Norman, who ended up a stroke ahead of Faldo at six under after a 68, left Hilton Head for a five week vacation.