PHOENIX — Bernhard Langer received for the 18th straight 12 months on the PGA Tour Champions, holing a 30-foot birdie putt on the ultimate gap to carry off Steven Alker within the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday at Phoenix Nation Membership.
The 67-year-old Langer closed with a 5-under 66 — taking pictures his age or higher for the third straight day and twenty third time on the tour — for a one-stroke victory over defending champion Alker — who received the season factors title and a $1 million bonus — and Richard Inexperienced.
“It is unbelievable, I can not describe it,” Langer mentioned. “To win this huge event after what I have been by and to make it 18 years in a row out right here.”
Langer pushed his tour victory document to 47, simply over eight months after tearing his left Achilles enjoying pickleball. The German star received the season-ending occasion for the primary time and prolonged his document because the tour’s oldest winner.
“This was the least seemingly one to win as a result of I’ve simply by no means accomplished very effectively right here for some purpose.” Langer mentioned. “However I had among the finest placing weeks of my life. Greenkeeping workers, I owe you one, effectively accomplished, nice job.”
5 strokes forward of Alker after a front-nine 30, Langer discovered himself tied for the lead with Alker and Inexperienced on the ultimate gap after a two-stroke swing on the seventeenth when Alker hit to inches for birdie and Langer scrambled for bogey.
On the par-5 18th, Langer drove left into bushes, reached the inexperienced in three and holed the lengthy birdie putt. Alker hit his second shot over the inexperienced and left his chip brief, then left a 12-footer to power a playoff brief.
“Performed good after which acquired a bit of unraveled there on the again 9 and Steven Alker acquired going,” Langer mentioned. I did not see any of Richard Inexperienced’s. Clearly, he should have performed implausible on the again 9, too.”
Alker shot 66. Additionally the 2022 season champion, the New Zealander started the week second behind Ernie Els within the factors race.
“It could have been good to win all of it right now, the whole thing, however hey, I’ve acquired the Schwab Cup and that is essential to me,” Alker mentioned.
Els tied for thirteenth at 7 beneath after a 67, leaving him second within the standings.
Inexperienced birdied the final two holes in a 65.
The highest 36 gamers on the factors record certified for the occasion, with Steve Stricker the lone qualifier who did not play.
