Paul Broadhurst closed with rounds of 64 and 63 at Harbor Shores to turn a four-shot 36-hole deficit into a four-shot victory at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
After opening with a 1-over 72 on Thursday, Broadhurst was lights out the rest of the way, going lower each day (66-64-63), to claim his second major senior circuit title by four shots over Tim Petrovic (65), who entered Sunday with a share of the lead alongside Scott McCarron (70).
“I didn’t play too badly the first day, I just didn’t make any putts,” said Broadhurst, when asked what changed after Thursday.
“I just hit a poor shot there on number 14 and made double and that was it, 1-over. I guess you think you’re out of the tournament, but when I won the Senior Open in Carnoustie I started with a 75, so you never are out of it.
“But I was playing catch up and it was important that I got off to a good start Friday, which I did, birdied three of the first four holes and I managed to continue that good form over the weekend.
“It’s not very often you shoot 66 on a Friday, better it Saturday and then better that Sunday. So yeah, it’s been a special week.”
The 52-year old’s third and fourth round scores of 64 and 63, respectively, were the two lowest of the tournament.
In fact, the Englishman’s final-round 63 is the best finish by a winner in the tournament’s 79-year history.
The win was the second of the season for Broadhurst (Bass Pro Shops), which gives him three-straight seasons with two wins.
The winner’s share was worth $585,000, and moved Broadhurst to first place on the Charles Schwab Cup Money List. He also earned a lifetime exemption into the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, and exemptions into the 2018 PGA Championship, 2018 Senior Open Championship and 2018 U.S. Senior Open.
FINAL TOP 10
1 Paul Broadhurst -19
2 Tim Petrovic -15
3 Jerry Kelly -14
3 Scott McCarron -14
5 Miguel Angel Jimenez -12
6 Christopher Williams -11
6 Colin Montgomerie -11
8 Phillip Price -10
8 Tom Byrum -10
10 Gene Sauers -9
10 Corey Pavin -9
10 David Toms -9
10 Kevin Sutherland -9
10 Bob Estes -9
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTABLE
PREDICTIONS ON 2018 RYDER CUP
“It breaks my heart to say, but I, if I have got to put $585,000 on, I would have to pick the U.S. But I think — we have got home advantage, that’s in our favor — but I think you’ve got a really strong team, I think our team is possibly two years from peaking. There’s a lot of youngsters coming through who are making their way in the world of golf and doing well when they come over here. It may be just two years too early. But I’m sure they will give it their best shot.”
– Paul Broadhurst
