PHOENIX — Bernhard Langer gained for the 18th straight yr 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 — capturing 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 gained the season factors title and a $1 million bonus — and Richard Inexperienced.
“It is unbelievable, I am unable to describe it,” Langer mentioned. “To win this massive match after what I have been by and to make it 18 years in a row out right here.”
Langer pushed his tour victory file to 47, simply over eight months after tearing his left Achilles taking part in pickleball. The German star gained the season-ending occasion for the primary time and prolonged his file because the tour’s oldest winner.
“This was the least probably one to win as a result of I’ve simply by no means achieved very properly right here for some purpose.” Langer mentioned. “However I had top-of-the-line placing weeks of my life. Greenkeeping employees, I owe you one, properly achieved, 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 timber, 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 pressure a playoff brief.
“Performed good after which obtained a little bit unraveled there on the again 9 and Steven Alker obtained going,” Langer mentioned. I did not see any of Richard Inexperienced’s. Clearly, he should have performed unbelievable 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 will have been good to win all of it right this moment, the whole thing, however hey, I’ve obtained the Schwab Cup and that is vital to me,” Alker mentioned.
Els tied for thirteenth at 7 below 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 checklist certified for the occasion, with Steve Stricker the lone qualifier who did not play.
