Y.E. Yang of South Korea sank his birdie putt on the primary playoff gap to defeat the hard-charging Bernhard Langer and win his first PGA Tour Champions title on the Ascension Charity Basic on Sunday in St. Louis.
Yang led the match after 18 holes and shared the 36-hole lead with Stewart Cink earlier than capturing a final-round, 5-under-par 66 at Norwood Hills Nation Membership to publish 13-under 200.
However Langer, the German with extra wins on the PGA Tour Champions (46) than anybody in historical past, entered the image with a 7-under 64 that featured eight birdies, together with a right-to-left putt on the par-4 18th gap to drive the playoff.
They replayed No. 18, and after Langer missed a birdie attempt, Yang’s midrange putt was true. He pumped his fist because the ball disappeared into the cup.
Yang, 52, is finest recognized for defeating Tiger Woods on the 2009 PGA Championship. He hadn’t received knowledgeable occasion on American soil since then.
“It was very long-time aim, however Champions, (profitable in) simply third yr, I feel is sweet,” Yang advised reporters.
“Right this moment I feel (is a) particular, special occasion.”
Langer mentioned his birdie try on the playoff gap regarded similar to the putt he made to drive the playoff.
“Broke a few cup and a half, so I performed it about the identical,” Langer mentioned. “Simply stayed a little bit excessive, so it simply went over the best edge or on the surface, on the excessive facet.”
Langer turned 67 late final month. After capturing a 67 on Saturday, he beat that quantity by three Sunday, marking his 18th time capturing his age or decrease on the PGA Tour Champions. He would have most well-liked to cap it off with one other trophy.
“Yeah, for me it could’ve meant to win one other match at age 67. I do not assume that has been achieved out right here,” Langer mentioned. “However we’ll see. Possibly it occurs some weeks sooner or later.”
Cink shot a 4-under 67 to complete alone in third at 12 beneath. His par-bogey-par end prevented him from becoming a member of Yang and Langer within the playoff.
Shane Bertsch holed seven birdies and no bogeys to match Langer’s 64 for the spherical of the day. He moved right into a tie for fourth at 9 beneath with Justin Leonard (67).
–Area Stage Media
