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 Career Major title. In doing so he became the second oldest winner of a Senior Major after Jock Hutchinson, who was 62 when he won in 1947.

Came so close to becoming the oldest regular Major Champion at the age of 59 when he led The 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, needing only to par the 72nd hole for a historic victory on the course where he won the famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ with Jack Nicklaus 32 years previously. A bogey meant he went into a play-off with Stewart Cink who eventually claimed the Claret Jug. That performance, however, strengthened his claim to being the greatest links player of all time.

Captured his third Senior Open Championship victory when he won at Muirfield in 2007, despite taking a double bogey six on the last, to beat Mark O'Meara and Stewart Ginn. It was his fifth Senior Major, and the 13th Major title of an illustrious career. In winning, he added another Senior Open title to the Open he won at Muirfield in 1980.

Previously defeated Ireland’s Des Smyth at the third extra hole of The 2005 Senior British Open Championship, presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. It was the second time the American had won the Championship in a play-off, having beaten Carl Mason at the Turnberry Resort in 2003 to add to his triumph in the 2001 US Senior PGA Championship at Ridgewood Country Club. By winning at Turnberry, he joined Bob Charles as the only player to win an Open Championship and Senior Open Championship at the same venue. His winning total of 17 under par 263 was the lowest in the tournament’s history, beating the 269 set by Bob Charles in 1989 also at the Turnberry Resort.

Given Honorary Membership of The European Tour in 2010 in recognition of his contribution to the game.