In 1971 Hale Irwin gets his 1st PGA Tour win at the Hilton Head

Hale Irwin held on in the face of growing pressure and the unnerving effect of hitting a tee shot down the front of a women dress and fired a 70 to win the Heritage Golf Classic Sunday. The 26 year old Irwin, who got his first win after four years on the professional circuit. He led all the way on the final day and finished with a tournament record of 279, five under par on the very tough Harbor Town Golf Links.

The former Colorado football star became the 10th first time winner during the 1971 season. Irwin had to hold off his chaser, Bob Lunn, and edged him by a single stroke. Coming in just after Lunn was Frank Beard and Jack Nicklaus who finished two off the lead. Beard had the best round of the day with a 67. Nicklaus was in contention for his fourth victory of the season until he bogeyed the 17th. Lunn finished with a 280 and Nicklaus & Beard at 281. Arnold Palmer, was just 3 strokes back from Irwin going into the final round but double bogeyed the 1st hole. He missed the green then three putted and never recovered again from that point.

Just one of three times Irwin wins at Harbour Town Links. He also won the tournament in 1973 and 1994. Irwin took home $22,000 of the $110,000 from the total purse.