Bernhard Langer shot a final-round 70 to complete a wire-to-wire win at the Insperity Invitational.
Langer entered Sunday’s finale at TPC Woodlands with a one-shot lead, but after going 2-over par through eight holes, the German star fell three off the pace.
Langer recovered nicely, though, making birdies on hole Nos. 9, 10, 13 and 15 en route to a 2-under 70 and a three-day total of 11-under par, good for a one-shot victory over Paul Goydos, Bart Bryant and Jeff Maggert.
“Very fortunate and blessed to have come back,” said Langer of his final 10-hole performance.
“I wasn’t playing my best golf this morning and nothing really went my way. I was 2 over par through eight holes. Played No. 9 and birdied 9. I looked up at the leaderboard and I was 4 behind. Well, after the birdie I was 3 behind Goydos.
“I knew I had to pull out something special on the back nine to make up the deficit and started playing a whole lot better. Birdied 10 right away and I had a chance on 11, which I didn’t make. 12, I got up and in out of the bunker.
“And then 13, made a good birdie. Had a chance on 14. Had an eagle putt on 15, which I didn’t make. And a really good chance on 17, hit a really nice 9-iron into a dangerous pin position.
“So played some pretty good golf coming down the stretch, except the tee shot on 18.”
The win was Langer’s first of the 2018 season, but fourth since he turned 60 in August 2017. Overall, it was the 37th win of his remarkable Champions Tour career.
The win earned the German star $330,000 and for the first time this year moves him to No. 1 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings at $802,721. It marks the seventh consecutive year he has been No. 1 at some point in the season.
TOP 10 FINISHERS
1 Bernhard Langer -11 ($330,000)
2 Paul Goydos -10 ($161,333)
2 Jeff Maggert -10 ($161,333)
2 Bart Bryant -10 ($161,333)
5 David Frost -9 ($80,960)
5 Brandt Jobe -9 ($80,960)
5 Tom Lehman -9 ($80,960)
5 Kenny Perry -9 ($80,960)
5 Tom Pernice J -9 ($80,960)
10 David Toms -8 ($45,886)
10 Kevin Sutherland -8 ($45,886)
10 Russ Cochran -8 ($45,886)
10 Joe Durant -8 ($45,886)
10 Scott Dunlap -8 ($45,886)
10 Mark Calcavecchia -8 ($45,886)
10 Miguel Angel Jimenez -8 ($45,886)
THE TROPHY
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“I’ll take anything over 60. That’s what it comes down to, because most guys, they struggle at this age and it’s difficult to beat those 50- and 51-year olds. So I’m very blessed to still be winning at my age.”
– Bernhard Langer
Credit: Getty Images, PGA Tour Media
