DOC TOPS POPS IN SENIOR CLASSIC; MORGAN OVERCOMES 3-STROKE DEFICIT.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Daily News Staff Writer

The doctor is in.

In the winner's circle again, in the record book and in contention to become the Senior PGA Tour's second $2 million man.

Dr. Gil Morgan won his second straight Ralphs Senior Classic on Sunday to pocket $150,000 and raise his season total to $1,832,562 going into this week's Tour Championship.

Should Morgan finish first or second in that season-ending event at Myrtle Beach, S.C., he will join all-but-crowned player of the year Hale Irwin as the only two seniors ever to top the $2 million mark in a single season.

``I think I've had a good year,'' Morgan said. ``I would be pleased with that any year. But Hale has had such a great year he made my year look like second place.''

Like the rest of the players on this year's senior tour, Morgan has been one of the supporting actors behind superstar Irwin, who has won a tour-record-equaling nine times and set a Wilshire Country Club record of 63 in the opening round of this tournament.

But Morgan (67-66-65-198) grabbed the spotlight Sunday, coming from three strokes off the pace to win by a stroke over seemingly indestructible George Archer, who shot a final-round 64 in his best outing since having an artificial hip implanted 18 months ago.

Sixty-two-year-old Jimmy Powell (68) finished third at 203, trailed by Larry Nelson (67-204) and fading second-round leader Jim Colbert (75-205). Colbert, making a comeback from prostate cancer, started the day with a three-stroke lead, was caught by Morgan after eight holes and then double-bogeyed twice on the back nine.

Hubert Green (68) was sixth at 206, Dick Hendrickson (65) and Graham Marsh (71) shared seventh at 207, and Irwin shared eighth at 208 after a closing 73 that was his second straight subpar round but just his 13th of the year.

``When Jim made his double on 13, I had a pretty good lead (five strokes),'' Morgan said, ``but that's when George started coming into the picture (with three birdies in his final six holes). Coming down the stretch it seemed a little nerve-wracking just like last year (a one-stroke win over Chi-Chi Rodriguez.)''

After Morgan bogeyed No. 17, he wasn't sure what his status was. But when he saw the leaderboard just before his second shot on No. 18, he knew he needed to par to win. He set that up with a 177-yard 6-iron to within eight feet and easily two-putted.

Morgan's three-round total was a tournament record at Wilshire, which has hosted the Ralphs for three years, and his victory was his fifth of a year in which he has earned more than any player except Irwin in the 17-year history of the Senior PGA Tour.

``I thought Morgan was going to be the dominant player this year,'' Archer said. ``He's the strongest player - he can hit 300 yards - he putts good and he really plays tough golf. He may be the one next year to win tournaments.''

``I hope George is right,'' Morgan said when told of Archer's comment. ``George has always been a pretty smart player.''

And a determined one.

Archer's hip replacement marked the seventh time he has undergone surgery to continue to be able to play golf.

``Wrist, shoulder, knee, back, hip - you name it and they've cut in and patched me up,'' he said.

Sunday, it was Archer cutting in on the leaders. After dropping six strokes off the lead with a bogey on the first hole, he rolled in eight birdies - including two 25-footers.

``One stroke short,'' said Archer, who was encouraged by his best finish since getting the new hip. ``I feel I'm getting strong and I will work in the offseason to get stronger.''

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) George Archer shot a final-round 64, but lost the Ralphs Senior Classic by one stroke.

(2) Gil Morgan won for the second year in a row.

Hans Gutknecht / Daily News