Steve Flesch posted rounds of 71 and 68 during Saturday’s 36-hole marathon at TPC Sugarloaf, and then beat Bernhard Langer and Scott Parelto in a sudden-death playoff to capture the Mitsubishi Electric Classic.
Due to heavy rains forecast for Sunday, the tournament’s final 36 holes were contested on Saturday.
With Langer (69-69) and Parelto (73-64) in the clubhouse at 11 under, Flesch birdied the par-5 18th to join the duo in a playoff.
On the first extra hole, Langer was eliminated with a par, after Flesch and Parel made birdies. On the second go-round of 18, only Flesch made birdie.
The win was Flesch’s first on the Champions Tour, and first of any kind since the 2007 Turning Stone Resort Invitational on the PGA Tour.
“It’s been harder than I anticipated winning on this tour. The guys are so good. That Langer guy is hard to beat,” said Flesch.
“Once again today he was right there. It’s fun, it really was fun to come down the stretch with him and Jay, and played the entire day, 36 holes with him and you learn a lot playing with those guys.
“You learn why they’ve been so successful, especially Bernhard. Just thrilled to death.”
For two days of golf, Flesch takes home a check for $270,000, and moves to No. 8 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.
FINAL TOP 10
1 Steve Flesch -11
2 Bernhard Langer -11
2 Scott Parel -11
4 Jay Haas -9
5 Wes Short Jr. -8
6 Vijay Singh -7
7 Clark Dennis -6
8 Jeff Sluman -5
8 Kevin Sutherland -5
8 Jerry Kelly -5
8 Joe Durant -5
THE TROPHY
Steve Flesch holding the trophy for winning the 2018 Mitsubishi Electric Classic.
WINNER’S STATS
Driving: 307 yards
Fairways: 73.8% (31/42)
Greens: 79.6% (43/54)
Putts: 1.721
Scoring: 15 Birdies, 17 Pars, 4 Bogeys
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTABLE
“I’m thrilled we’re here. I love Sugarloaf. When I saw it was on the schedule three years ago, I was jealous that the guys are playing because I’ve always loved playing here. So I’m glad that the PGA TOUR Champions is playing here and Sugarloaf’s a great venue, Mitsubishi Electric’s a great sponsor. Hey, we’re 50-year-old guys playing golf, we’re fortunate that we have a place to play, so we’re thrilled.”
– Steve Flesch
