Kirk Triplett: The Scottsdale pro came out of nowhere to win last week’s Chyrsler Classic of Tucson, his third win in 16 years on the PGA Tour. How did Triplett do it after barely making the cut? He was 17-under par for the weekend at Tucson National, finishing with scores of 64-63 and a winning total of 22-under 266.

But according to Triplett, the secret to his success might have happened earlier in the month, where he got into contention at the FBR Open on Sunday only to collapse coming down the stretch.

“I just started hitting it sideways,’’ Triplett said of the final nine holes on the TPC of Scottsdale. “After the round, I was talking to somebody, and I said: ‘Man, I forget how hard it is out here when you’re trying to move up the leader board and all of a sudden -- after three and a half days of looking right where you want to go – I’m looking at the lake here, and the bunker there, and things that I never look at.’’

Not this time, as Triplett birdied the first five holes in a row on Sunday, and four of the last five holes for the win. “I just said, ‘All right, look, you’ve got to quit looking at these bad spots. . . . You just have hit good shots because you’re in a good position.’’

What Triplett was referring to was how his past failure led to his success. And who can blame him if he needed a refresher course after spending the past six months playing on-and-off due to a minor medical exemption. In fact, he needed a sponsor’s exemption just to play in the FBR Open, in which he finished tied for 27 th.

No longer, as Triplett now has the coveted two-year exemption. Nice, when you’re 43 years old and have struggled recently just to find a place to play. Asked where this latest victory ranked, he chuckled: “It’s got to be one of the top three. I’ve got three wins, so it’s got to be one of those.’’

Told his closing 63 was the same score he shot the last time he won (at the 2003 Reno-Tahoe Open), Triplett was surprised. But when a tour official said, “You’re kind of getting used to that kind of finish,’’ Triplett chucked again. “I’m used it?’’ he mused. “I don’t know if I would say that in 400 and some starts.’’

But the $540,000 first prize pushed him above $13 million in career earnings, and from 140 th to 85 th in the world rankings. Despite the win, he ranks no better than No. 23 on the money list with $586,616, but that could change quickly if he stays focused and keeps shooting 63s and 64s on the weekend.

PRO RANKS

Recovering: PGA Tour veteran Andrew Magee underwent successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his left kidney at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on Feb. 18. According to his doctor, Indebir Gill, the tumor and 15 percent of the kidney was removed “with excellent margins,’’ and no radiation or chemotherapy will be needed. Magee, 43, is recovering at his home in Paradise Valley. Through his agency, Gaylord Sports of Scottsdale, he said he plans to return to the PGA Tour, or at least begin practicing, in about six weeks.

Needed: The LPGA Safeway International is looking for caddies for its pro-am events, which take place March 13-14. Experience is not necessary, and caddies will receive lunch, four tickets to the tournament, and a caddie cap. To volunteer – you must be 14 years of age – call (480) 313-1283 or visit www.safewaygolf.com.

NOTEWORTHY

Dedication: The First Tee of Phoenix will open its newest chapter on March 4 in Glendale. The dedication for the new facility at Desert Mirage Golf Club includes a kids’ clinic hosted by PGA Tour player Arron Oberholser. For information, visit www.thefirsttee.org

Clinic: Shalimar Country Club in Tempe will host “The Greatest Golf Show’’ on March 19 at 4 p.m. The program is in conjunction with Dream Seed Charities and the Shaligusta Special Olympics golf team, with the featured performer being the acrobatic trick-shot artist/comedian, Joey O. Admission is free, but donations are being accepted for Dream Seed Charities.