Horton gives VanDam a run for his money

BASS

Even though Horton had the fish hooked to win this event, the 35-year-old Muscle Shoals, Ala., pro seemed as satisfied as any second-place finisher has ever been.

"I'm tickled to death," said Horton, who started the day in third place, 9-3 behind VanDam. "I had no idea it would be that exciting. I'm thinking out there I'm fishing for second all day.

"I came into a nice surprise. It was actually pretty close. But Kevin deserved it. He put together a great week."

Horton didn't express any frustration, but he did acknowledge that he had the fish hooked that would have won the $100,000 first-place check. Horton lost two 7-pound-range bass Saturday, and two more big ones came unbuttoned Sunday from his modified Bomber DT7 Fat Free Shad. Read story | Two-minute offense | Standings | Photos | Archive