Bertsch eagles 1st playoff hole to win his 1st Champions title

RIDGEDALE, Mo. – Shane Bertsch eagled the first hole of a four-man playoff Friday to win the Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge in his second PGA Tour Champions start.

Bertsch hit an approach from the rough near the back edge of a bunker that took some big bounces in front of the green and rolled to 20 feet from the back pin on Buffalo Ridge’s par-5 first hole.

“This is a special one,” Bertsch said. “I’ve always had a hard time saying what my most special moment in golf is, but without a doubt it was that putt on the first playoff hole.”

The downhill slider slowly made its way to the hole.

“It had probably 2 feet of break,” Bertsch said. “It was pretty quick and it gets even quicker past the hole. … It took its time getting over there and getting there.”

Kenny Perry lost a one-stroke lead on the par-5 18th, making a bogey after driving left into deep rough under trees, to fall into the playoff with Bertsch, Bernhard Langer and Glen Day.

“I really had a good feeling because I just felt like everything had gone the wrong way today and something had to go right,” Bertsch said of the playoff. “And it did.”

Four strokes ahead of playing partners Perry and Langer after opening with two 64s, Bertsch closed with a 1over 72 to match Perry (68), Langer (68) and Day (66). Bertsch, Perry and Langer played together, while Day was three groups ahead.

“I was pretty comfortable this morning really, but missed a little putt on the first hole for birdie and started thinking,” Bertsch said. “Miss another little one on the third hole, you start thinking. It really is hard to win that way. I hit some goofy shots and some poor putts and I just kept hanging in there.”

The 50-year-old Bertsch, a threetime winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, won the senior qualifying tournament last year to earn a tour card. He made his delayed senior debut three weeks ago with a tie for 45th in The Ally Challenge in Michigan.