Dilfer Dumps Del Greco In Nfl Golf

Tampa Bay quarterback Trent Dilfer ended Al Del Greco’s 4-year reign in the Cadillac NFL Players tournament Saturday, shooting the only subpar round of the tournament at the Upper Montclair Golf Club.

Dilfer, whose best finish in any previous tournament was fifth, shot a 71 to edge Del Greco, the Houston Oilers’ placekicker, by three strokes. New York Jets center Dave Alexander and Baltimore Ravens tight end Brian Kinchen tied for second at 73.

Dilfer credited Seniors tourney champ George Archer, his partner on Friday, with helping him get it done.

“George gave me the best advice about my game I’ve ever had, and it had nothing to do with my swing or my putting,” said Dilfer. “It had to do with my attitude. He told me anyone can play when things are going well, but its difficult when they aren’t.”

“I’ll bet I didn’t hit more than 10 really good shots the last four days. It was just a matter of me being mentally tough.”

A format change, wiping out all previous scores, helped Dilfer unseat the four-time champion.

After rounds of 74 and 73 last year, Dilfer ballooned to 78 in the championship round and finished tied for fifth, seven strokes behind Del Greco. This year Dilfer shot rounds of 81, 78 and 82 before putting it together Saturday for the title.