SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Lee Trevino shook off a disheartening penalty to shoot a 2-under-par 70 yesterday, ending Jack Nicklaus' quest for his third straight title at The Tradition.

Nicklaus, who had blasted out of a trap to within 12 feet on No. 18, rolled a birdie attempt to the edge of the cup. But it wouldn't drop.

Then Trevino, who left his attempt at birdie short, had to sink an 18-inch putt for par to claim a one-shot victory.

Trevino incurred the penalty when he touched the ball and caused it to move in the tee area of the 13th hole, a 136-yard par-3 surrounded by desert sand and rocks.

But the automatic penalty made him fight harder.

"I think the turning point for me was the penalty shot," Trevino said. "It relaxed me. I was probably going to make bogey, anyway."

Trevino began the day with a two-stroke lead, but bogeyed the first hole and Nicklaus birdied it. No more than a shot separated them again in what resembled match play to conclude the $800,000 Senior PGA Tour event.