Steve Stricker beat Padraig Harrington on the first play-off hole at the Senior PGA Championship to claim his sixth senior major title.
Three-time major winner Harrington led the way for the first three rounds at the Fields Ranch East course at PGA Frisco, having got off to a flyer on Thursday by breaking the course record. The Dubliner found himself behind Stricker by one shot as they headed to the par-five 18th. With his back to the wall, Harrington reached the green in two and two-putted for birdie. That was enough to force a play-off once Stricker missed a long birdie putt.
But when they headed back to the 18th tee to start the play-off, Harrington drove into a hazard and Stricker was the one in position to make birdie. Harrington missed a birdie putt that would have extended the play-off.
Stricker, 56, has won each of the first two senior majors of the season, having captured the Regions Tradition earlier this month.
Afterwards, Harrington said: “Steve is probably the toughest guy you could ever play on a Sunday. He has to have the best wedge game in the world. He’s a fabulous putter, he’s a fabulous chipper, but his wedge play was just spectacular.”
Stewart Cink fired a final round 69 to finish in third at 16 under. YE Yang was a distant fourth at 11 under, while defending champion Steven Alker, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Darren Clarke tied for fifth at nine under.
