PHOENIX — Bernhard Langer won his 18th consecutive year on the PGA Tour Champions, hitting a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole to defeat Steven Alker in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday at Phoenix Country Club.
The 67-year-old Langer closed with a 5-under 66 — shooting his age or better for the third straight day and 23rd time on tour — one win away from defending champion Alker — the season winner. points title and $1 million bonus — with Richard Green.
“It’s unbelievable, I can’t explain it,” said Langer. “Winning this big tournament after what I’ve been through and doing it 18 years in a row while I’m here.”
Langer pushed his tour victory record to 47, more than eight months after tearing his left Achilles tendon playing a pickleball. The German star won the season-ending event for the first time and extended his record as the oldest winner on tour.
“This was the least likely for me to win because I’ve never done well here for some reason.” Langer said. “But I had one of the best weeks of my life. Greenskeepers, I owe it to you, well done, great job.”
Five strokes ahead of Alker after 30 on the front nine, Langer found himself tied for the lead with Alker and Green at the final hole after swinging two strokes at the 17th when Alker birdied inches and Langer he fought for bogey.
On the par-5 18th, Langer drove left into the trees, reached the green in three and drilled a long birdie putt. Alker hit his second shot over the green and left his chip short, then birdied the 12th to force a short playoff.
“I played well and then I got a little upset after the ninth and Steven Alker left,” Langer said. I didn’t see any of the Richard Greens. It’s obvious that he also played well in the back 9.”
Alker shot a 66. And the 2022 season champion, the New Zealander started the week second behind Ernie Els in the points race.
“It would be 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.
The green carded the final two holes in 65.
The top 36 players on the points list qualified for the event, and Steve Stricker was the only one who did not play.
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