The Alabama golf crowd was clearly pulling for U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker but it was European Alex Cejka who took home the senior circuit’s first major at the Regions Tradition.
After Stricker (68) made a valiant comeback with birdies on Nos. 16 and 18 to force a playoff, the German knocked him out with a birdie on the first sudden-death hole to claim his maiden career major.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s like the first win on the PGA Tour,” said Cejka, who also shot a final-day 68. “You grind — I mean, everybody grinds for so many years, and it’s just incredible right now.
“I have no words. I’m so happy. And I’m glad I did it on Mother’s Day. And I’m just super excited.”
Robert Karlsson (69) was alone in third on 14 under, three clear of Ernie Els (66) and Jerry Kelly (70) who were T4 on 11 under.
