PHOENIX (AP) — Bernhard Langer won the PGA Tour Champions for the 18th consecutive year, winning a 30 foot birdie putt on the final hole to fend off Steven Alker in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup championship Sunday at Phoenix Country Club.
Langer, 67, finished with a 6-under 66 – shooting his age or better for the third straight day and 23rd time on tour – for a one-stroke victory over defending champion Alker – who won the season points title and a million-dollar bonus – and Richard Green.
“It’s amazing, I can’t describe it,” Langer said. “To win this big tournament after what I went through and to succeed 18 years in a row here.”
Langer increased his tour wins record to 47, just over eight months after tearing his left Achilles tendon playing pickelball. The German star won the season-ending event for the first time and extended his record as the oldest winner on the circuit.
“It was the least likely match to win because I never did very well here for some reason.” » Langer said. “But I had one of the best putting weeks of my life. Green space maintenance staff, I owe you one, well done, excellent job.
Five shots ahead of Alker after a first nine 30, Langer found himself tied for the lead with Alker and Green on the final hole after a two-shot swing on the 17th when Alker knocked inches within inches for a birdie and Langer rushed for a bogey.
At the par-5 18th, Langer drove left into the trees, reached the green in three and made the long birdie putt. Alker hit his second shot over the green and left his chip short, then left a 12-footer to force the playoff short.
“I played well, then I struggled a little bit on the back nine and Steven Alker started,” Langer said. I haven’t seen any of the Richard Greens. Obviously he must have played fantastic on the back nine as well.
Alker shot 66. Also champion of the 2022 season, the New Zealander started the week second behind Ernie Els in the points race.
“It would have been nice to win it all today, everything, but hey, I have the Schwab Cup and that’s important to me,” Alker said.
Els is tied for 13th at 7 under after a 67, leaving him second in the standings.
Green birdied the final two holes for a 65.
The top 36 players on the points list qualified for the event, with Steve Stricker the only qualifier not playing.
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