Langer becomes oldest winner in history of Champions Tour
Bernhard Langer became the oldest winner in PGA Tour Champions history Sunday at 64, beating Doug Barron with a six-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff in the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
The German star thrust both arms in the air after winning for the 42nd time on the 50-and-over tour and the first time since March 2020. He had played in the final group six times this season without a victory.
“It’s just encouraging to everybody that’s over 50 or 60, we can still perform at a very high level and you should never give up,” Langer said. “And of course physical conditioning is one thing. You’ve got to be mentally tough, you’ve got to have good technique and nerves and all of rest of it.”
Langer broke the record set by Scott Hoch, who was 63 when he teamed with Tom Pernice Jr. to win in the 2019 Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf. Langer extended his streak of seasons with a victory to 15 and moved within three of matching Hale Irwin as the senior victory leader.
Langer closed with a three-under-par 69 and also birdied the par-five 18th in regulation to match Barron at 14-under 202 at the Country Club of Virginia. Langer increased his lead in the Charles Schwab Cup standings in the playoff opener.
“This has been a very special win,” Langer said. “It’s been a long time coming and I’ve had some very, very close calls.”
Barron also finished with a birdie in a 68. He missed a six-foot birdie try in the playoff before Langer ran in the winner to end a string of five playoff losses.
“He’s just an anomaly. He’s incredibly, incredibly gifted and he’s one of my heroes and good friends,” Barron said. “I’m very fortunate to call him a very dear friend. If I’m going to get beat, I don’t mind getting beat by him.”
Hideki Matsuyama closed with an eagle for a five-under 65 and a fivestroke victory in the Zozo Championship. Southland natives Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele tied for second . ... Jin Young Ko closed with an eight-under 64 and birdied the first playoff hole to beat Hee Jeong Lim and win the BMW Ladies Championship. Ko won for the second straight time. The LPGA said she is projected to return to No. 1 in the world.