McCarron tops field at Allianz

BOCA RATON, Florida — Scott McCarron eagled the par-5 18th hole Sunday to win the Allianz Championship for his third PGA Champions Tour victory in his last 17 starts.

The 51-year-old McCarron hit a 7-iron shot from 179 yards to six feet to set up the eagle, his second of the day after an 80-foot putt on the par-5 seventh. He closed with a 5-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Kenny Perry and Carlos Franco.

“All wins are exciting, but this one, to be able to finish it off the way I did, really something special,” McCarron said. “It was a very good day. I stayed very patient.”

McCarron finished at 17-under 199 on The Old Course at Broken Sound. He opened with consecutive 66s to take a share of the lead into the final round.

The three-time PGA Tour winner hit the shot of the week to set up the winning eagle.

“As soon as I hit it, I couldn’t see it at all, just went right in the sun, so I had no idea, but it felt good,” McCarron said.

The former UCLA player won the Principal Charity Classic in June in Iowa for his first senior title, and took the Dominion Charity Classic in November in Virginia.

Franco shot a 65, and Perry had a 66, with each making birdie on 18.

Doug Garwood (69) and Paul Broadhurst (64) were 15 under.

Fred Couples had a 69 to tie for sixth at 14 under.

The event was his first in Florida since the 2006 Honda Classic. Fellow Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie also was 14 under after a 66.

Bernhard Langer tied for 37th at 7 under, following two 71s with a 67. The 59-year-old German star won the opener in Hawaii for his 30th career victory on the tour.

Winning Ryder Cup captains Jose Maria Olazabal (72) and Paul McGinley (69) tied for 41st at 6 under in their senior debuts.