When was the last time you heard a PGA Tour player, a proven veteran no less, admit he thought he would never win again shortly after he had just won again?

Mark Calcavecchia’s confession Sunday following his surprising win at the Bell Canadian Open -- “I’ve got to admit, I never thought I’d win again’’ -- was startling on several fronts. Always candid, “the demons’’ Calc exorcised that day only leads me to think such self-doubts exist among the best players on the planet perhaps more than we might think.

Then again, considering what the long-time Ahwatukee resident has gone through since his last win -- the 2001 Phoenix Open -- it’s understandable why his confidence was waning.

In 2001, Calcavecchia went through a devastating divorce. The following year, he was plagued with sleep apnea, a condition that became so critical he had to wear an oxygen mask to bed. In 2003, his back gave out from, basically, being overweight. Last season, his back hurt so badly, “most players would have quit playing,’’ he admitted.

But the three-time Phoenix Open champ, who also won at the TPC of Scottsdale in 1989 and ’92, doesn’t know how to say “Uncle.’’ He’s a tough, Midwestern-grown guy who once was a Tour caddie before realizing his dream.

As a result of that never-say-die attitude, Calc’s now got a two-year exemption on tour after nearly losing his card in 2004. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when the golf gods give you a little thumbs up.

Despite making only one birdie for his final 36 holes, Calcavecchia’s 5-under total was good enough to edge heralded rookie Ryan Moore and Ben Crane.

“That’s got to be a record,’’ Calcavecchia said of his lone birdie on Saturday and Sunday. Turns out, it ties Curtis Strange, who also made but one birdie on his final 36 holes en route to winning the 1989 U.S. Open. To put it in further perspective, Strange and Calc are the only two players in the past 22 years to get away with such a lack of offense.

Calcavecchia always has been hot and cold, as evidenced by his opening two rounds in Vancouver, where his 65-67 start gave him a five-shot lead.

“When things go good for me -- I’m streaky and I’m very good,’’ he explained. “When they go bad -- I lose it. That’s just the way I am.

“I’ve always been an emotional guy. I mean, I watched a replay of the Titanic the other day and I was bawling like a baby by the end of the movie.’’

Naturally, there were a few tears this time, too. But Calc might not enjoyed them as much had he not had some help from his “psychiatrist.’’ That would be his new wife, Brenda.

“She’s been great for me,’’ he said. “Brenda told me the day she met me, ‘You have it, it’s just your little brain gets in the way.’ But, hey, it happens to a lot of guys out here, the things we think about (on the course) that pretty much freak you out.’’

Lately, it had been golf’s youth movement that had freaked him out the most. Calc said it was tough watching the “the guys that are 23 years old hit it 30 yards by me.’’ When he couldn’t match their prowess, he got down on himself to the point that he actually self-induced physical illness.

“At times, I’ve just hated myself so bad,’’ he said, not holding back. “I’m not exactly a physical wonder . . . And it‘s my own fault.

“Last year in Vegas, I actually willed a back spasm on myself. That’s not easy to do and accomplish at the same time.’’

Yep, it’s also not easy to win at age 45, but Calcavecchia is following a recent trend, as 46-year-old Olin Browne and 44-year-old Brad Faxon both prevailed in the two weeks prior.

“It’s been a good stretch for old guys,’’ Calc quipped. “I would hope that we’ve gave a little hope to some of the other guys in their mid-40s who are struggling a bit.’’

Calcavecchia’s resurrection has moved him from 133 rd to 68 th in the world rankings, and he has jumped from No. 68 to No. 21 on the money list ($1,810,510), securing him a spot in the upcoming Tour Championship (top 30 money-winners). His 12 th win on the PGA Tour, which includes the 1989 British Open at Royal Troon, also pushed him over the $18 million mark in career earnings.

Still, all of this “good news’’ only reduces Calcavecchia’s anxiety slightly.

“Sometimes I still wonder how I’m going to make it to 50,’’ he said in the afterglow. “But I’m hoping they’ll lower the age for the senior tour down a couple of years.’’

Despite such self-doubts, chances are Mark Calcavecchia will be around for as long as he wants, even if it won’t be in the East Valley. That’s right, along with all of his “confessions’’ that poured out Sunday, he also had this revelation.

“(Brenda and I) have bought a little home in Florida, and we’re going to spend the winter there this year,’’ he said of his new residence in West Palm Beach. “We’re really looking forward to it.’’