Fred Couples beats his age with 60, wins SAS Championship

CARY, N.C. — Fred Couples broke his age by three photographs with the bottom spherical of his PGA Tour Champions profession, a 12-under 60 that despatched him to a six-shot victory Sunday within the SAS Championship for his first title in additional than 5 years.

{Couples} was two photographs behind after 4 holes when the 63-year-old went on a run that amazed even him. He ran off 5 straight birdies, made a key par on the tenth gap after which completed with seven straight birdies.

“An unreal day,” {Couples} stated.

{Couples} gained for the primary time because the American Household Insurance coverage Championship in 2017, and this was one he by no means noticed coming. He began the event with a double bogey. He determined to make use of Griffin Flesch, the son of Steve Flesch, as his caddie.

For all of the birdies, {Couples} felt the important thing to his day was a par.

He was two photographs forward of Jerry Kelly when he holed an 18-foot par putt. Kelly closed the hole to at least one with a birdie on the par-3 eleventh after which {Couples} took off. Kelly put his second shot on the par-5 twelfth within the water, whereas {Couples} two-putted for birdie.

{Couples} made an 8-foot birdie on the subsequent gap, an 18-footer on the 14th after which noticed his shot from tough narrowly clear the bunker and take an enormous hop onto the inexperienced to five ft. It by no means stopped, even on the final gap when his strategy rolled out to 7 ft.

{Couples} completed at 20-under 196 for his 14th profession win on the PGA Tour Champions. He gained $315,000.

“My recreation can come and go,” Couple stated. “I am performed for the 12 months, however I am positively … my recreation on the Champions Tour is trending and I like the place it is going. I’ve obtained subsequent 12 months. Everybody thinks they will win out right here. Immediately was my day.”

Steven Alker closed with a 64 to complete second and lengthen his lead within the Charles Schwab Cup standings going into the postseason. Kelly wanted an 18-foot birdie putt to tie for second, and he three-putted for bogey and a 67 to complete third.

The highest 72 gamers are eligible for the postseason. {Couples} stated he will not play once more the remainder of the 12 months. Steve Stricker, who gained final week in Florida, additionally would not plan to play apart from the season finale in Arizona.