ENDICOTT, New York, 22 July 2003 — Craig Stadler shot a stunning 9-under-par 63 on Sunday to erase an eight-stroke deficit and win the $3 million PGA BC Open by one shot over Steve Lowery and Alex Cejka, the two best players in the field. Known as “The Walrus,” Stadler made history on several fronts.

He became the first player in 11 years — and just the second ever — to win on both the PGA and Champions Tours in the same year, doing it in consecutive weeks.

“This is an awesome week for me,” said Stadler, who has pocketed a nifty $915,000 over the last eight days.

Stadler, who had not won on the PGA Tour since 1996, turned 50 in early June, becoming eligible for the elder circuit.

Last week, he notched his first Champions Tour win, capturing the Senior Players Championship.

While most of the world’s best golfers were playing in the British Open, Stadler was entered in this event, one his son, Kevin, played in last year.

His sticks clearly were still hot from last week, but he began the day eight shots behind Lowery.

While Lowery struggled to a par 72, Stadler matched the best round of the tournament and hurdled a dozen golfers.

“I didn’t even consider coming back from eight strokes down,” Stadler said. “When the putt went in at No. 12, my mind-set changed.” Stadler finished with a 21-under 267, setting an event record for strokes below par and collecting $540,000 — the biggest pay check of his career.

The highest-ranked player here at No. 73, Lowery also was caught by Cejka, who is ranked 76th.

Cejka shot a 67 for a 20-under 268 and was second or tied for second after each round, failing in a bid for his first PGA Tour win. “It hurts when you get this close,” said Cejka, who has won four times in Europe. “I was expecting someone to go low today.”

Cejka did collect $264,000, pushing his yearly PGA Tour earnings to $728,358.

That virtually assures him of finishing in the top 125 on the money list, which has an automatic one-year exemption.