It was Langer’s record 12th senior major championship, to go with two Masters titles. It was his second US Senior Open victory, 13 years after his first. It also marked his record 11th season with multiple victories, his having won the Chubb Classic earlier this year.
The inaugural championship played at the new PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas, was at a minimum a dramatic success, a duel between opposing Ryder Cup captains that ultimately reinforced the fact that these days Stricker owns the PGA Tour Champions.
Bernhard Langer’s bid for a PGA Tour Champions-record 46th victory went awry on the back nine on Sunday, clearing a way for another World Golf Hall of Famer, Ernie Els, to win the Hoag Classic.
The final round would have been a victory lap but for Stricker, who played the final 11 holes in six-under par and made Harrington prove his mettle in his quest for a long overdue victory.
The victory earns him starts in the 150th Open at St Andrews next month and the 2023 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and a likely invitation to the 2023 Masters.
The magical mystery tour continued for Steven Alker on Sunday, when the man who came from nowhere added a Major championship to his inexplicably remarkable PGA Tour Champions run.
Inevitability finally gave way to reality for Leona Maguire of Ireland on Saturday, when she won the LPGA Drive On Championship for the first victory of her LPGA career and likely not her last.
The structure is not there this year, which will force longer hitters, at least, to decide between laying up short of the water or going for the green in two and running the risk of the ball reaching the penalty area.
The inaugural competition, a three-day affair featuring US, European and International teams, will be held in the American autumn of 2022 at an American course yet to be determined.
Australian Golf Digest
