Bennett earns $1 million victory

COLUMBIA — Michael Bennett of Lincoln, Calif., became only the second professional bass angler to win a $1 million first-prize check Sunday when he claimed the FLW Outdoors Forrest Wood Cup fished on Lake Murray. Bennett, 24, weighed four fish that tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 6 ounces on the final day for a two-day total of 24-15. He won $500,000 plus another $500,000 bonus for fishing a Ranger boat.

"I was so nervous I couldn't hardly speak," Bennett said at the weigh-in. "I've never fished for so much money before, it's almost hard to comprehend. This is where you dream of standing when you are a kid, here among the best in the world, holding an enormous check. I can't believe it had really happened."

Dave LeFebre of Union City, Pa., finished second with 19-12 and won $100,000.

The tournament began with 77 pros and 77 co-anglers competing for a $2 million purse. After Friday, the field was cut to the top 10 professionals and top 10 co-anglers, who started from zero for the final two days. Bennett was the top angler after the cut with 27-4 and led again after the third day with 16-1. He caught his bass using a Berkley Power Bait 6-inch Hand Pour Finesse Worm.

Top 10

1. Michael Bennett, Lincoln, Calif., 24-15, $1,000,000

2. Dave LeFebre, Union City, Pa., 19-12, $100,000

3. Terry Bolton, Jonesboro, Ark., 19-9, $75,000

4. Chris Baumgardner, Gastonia, N.C., 16-9, $60,000

5. Kevin Vida, Clare, Mich., 15-14, $50,000

6. Dion Hibdon, Stover, Mo., 13-8, $45,000

7. Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., 13-3, $40,000

8. Brian Travis, Conover, N.C., 11-1, $35,000

9. Mark Rose, Marion, Ark., 10-0, $30,000

10. Jay Yelas, Corvallis, Oregon, 6-10, $25,000