Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Kaulig Companies Championship on Sunday for his fourth PGA Tour Champions victory of the season, rallying to force a playoff and beating Steven Alker with a 20-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole.
Two strokes down after Alker birdied the par-5 16th, Jimenez mounted a spectacular comeback. The 61-year-old Spaniard drained a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th and followed it with an 18-footer on the par-4 18th to force the playoff.
Jimenez and Alker, 53, entered the final round tied for the lead at Firestone South. Both shot 2-under 68 to finish at 10-under 270 in the major championship.
The playoff drama unfolded on the 18th hole. On the first extra hole, Jimenez missed an 18-foot birdie attempt while Alker calmly sank a 3½-footer for par to extend the battle. When they returned to the 18th tee, Alker’s drive found the trees right of the fairway. Despite a good recovery shot, he missed his 20-foot birdie try, setting the stage for Jimenez’s winning putt.
This victory gives Jimenez his third major title on the Champions Tour. He previously won the Regions Tradition and Senior British Open in 2018. The win also earns him a spot in next year’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. It’s his 17th career victory on the 50-and-over tour.
Jimenez has been dominant this season. He beat Alker by two strokes in the Trophy Hassan II in February in Morocco, then won the Hoag Classic in March in California, and the Principal Charity Classic in a playoff three weeks ago in Iowa.
Stewart Cink finished third at 8 under after shooting a 66 in the final round. Steve Flesch was another stroke back after posting a 65.
The senior major championship season continues this week with the U.S. Senior Open at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
