Steady Sluman takes the title

Jeff Sluman won his first tournament in 19 months yesterday and dedicated the victory to his caddy.

Rick Bruder, who doesn't play golf, agreed at the last minute to caddy for Sluman at the Greater Milwaulkee Open and on Sunday found himself accompanying the tournament champion from the 18th.

"He's on cloud nine," said Sluman. "I was fun seeing him. He probably kept me relaxed."

Sluman, who won the PGA Championship in 1988 and the Tucson Classic last year, played steadily all day but bogeyed the 18th for the three-under-par 68 and a 19-under 265 total that earned him $324,000. "Eighteen wasn't an artistic success but I ended up with the cheque."

Steve Stricker finished second, one stroke back and Chris Perry, who entered the final round as coleader with Sluman, carded a 71 to tie for third place with Mark Calcavecchia and Nolan Henke.

FINAL ROUND SCORES: (USA unless stated): 265 - Jeff Sluman 68-66-63-68; 26 6 - Steve Stricker 68-63-67-68; 268 - Mark Calcavecchia 66-64-69-69, Nolan Henke 70-6267-69, Chris Perry 68-62-67-71; 269 - Doug Barron 67-67-68-67; 270 - Fred Funk 68-70-6567, Mark Carnevale 66-66-69-69; 271 - Tom Byrum 67-68-69-67, Gabriel Hjerstedt (Swe) 6667-69-69, Billy Andrade 74-64-65-68, Kevin Wentworth 68-65-68-70; 272 - Brian Kamm 7066-67-69. Other foreign scores: 277 - Bradley Hughes (Aus) 71-66-70-70; 278 - Vijay Singh (Fij) 67-70-71-70.