BERNHARD LANGER TIES HALE IRWIN FOR MOST PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

Bernhard Langer equalled Hale Irwin’s record of most wins on the PGA TOUR Champions by successfully defending his Chubb Classic title in Florida in February.

The German claimed his 45th victory with a seven under par 65 on Sunday for a three-stroke victory over Pádraig Harrington and Steve Stricker at Tiburon Golf Club Black Course.

Langer also extended his record as the oldest winner on the American over-50s circuit (65 years, 5 months, 23 days).

“There’s been a lot of talk about catching Hale for the last few years, and there’s a lot of pressure, especially today when you get this close,” he said.

“Then you have thoughts running through your mind, and you’re going, wow, you’re this close, you don’t want to lose it now.

“But that’s the wrong stuff to think. You’ve got to just focus on one shot at a time.”

It is the fifth time the two-time Masters Champion has won the event, having previously lifted the trophy in 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2022.

He finished the week in style as he hit driver from the final fairway on his way to a closing birdie.

“I thought I had a one-shot lead and I needed to make par to win, and [my caddie] said, ‘You actually have a two-shot lead.’ And I said, ‘Well, I don’t trust leaderboards.’”