Tom Watson holed a three foot birdie putt at the first extra hole to beat fellow American David Eger in a play-off for the US Senior PGA Championship and claim his 14th Major title.
It was Watson’s sixth Major since turning 50 to go with this five Open Championships, Two Masters and a US Open. Three of those six as a senior have come in the Senior Open Championship.
At 61, he becomes the oldest player to win a Senior major since the US seniors tour was created in 1980 and the second youngest in history after Jock Hutchinson, who was 62 when he won in 1947.
More famous as a rules official than as a player, Eger closed with a five under par 67 at Valhalla Golf Club to Watson’s 70 to tie on ten under par 278, both players narrowly missing birdie putts on the 72nd hole to win it outright in regulation play, but Watson prevailed in the play-off.
"It never ceases to be enjoyable, winning a golf tournament," Watson said.
"I'm living on borrowed time right now at 61. These young kids are coming out here and hitting the ball so much farther than I do. Their nerves are pretty much still intact."
Overnight joint leaders Kiyoshi Murota and Hale Irwin finished third and fourth respectively after rounds of 72 and 73.
Argentina’s Edoardo Romero and Australian Peter Senior, two stalwarts of The European Tour before joining the senior ranks, finished joint fifth on 281, seven under par, after matching rounds of 69.
The leading European was Mark Mouland at level par 288 after he closed with a three under par 69, finishing one ahead of Roger Chapman.
