Category: Champions Tour (CHAMP)

Steve Stricker made five birdies during a 3-under 69 to run away from the pack and win the American Family Insurance Championship, securing his fourth title of the PGA Tour Champions season on Sunday in Madison, Wis.

The Wisconsin native lives in Madison and serves as the tournament host. With a tournament record 18-under 198, Stricker won a professional event in his home state for the first time.

“I wanted to win this one right here in our own backyard,” Stricker said. “We started this tournament, we get so much fan support, player support. Gotten in my own way over the years, but (Sunday) I was kind of determined to get it done.

“And you know what, it’s not about the golf, this week’s all about charity and giving back to our community,” he added. “We raise $2.5 million each time we put this thing on and it’s all because of our sponsors. … And the players feel very welcome here and they’re excited to come here and play, and fans show up and show their appreciation as well.”

Stricker stayed red-hot after winning two major titles last month at the Regions Tradition and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.

Englishman Paul Broadhurst and New Zealand’s Steven Alker tied for a distant second, five shots back at 13 under.

Stricker and Broadhurst entered Sunday tied for the lead after they each opened with rounds of 65 and 64. Broadhurst had three bogeys on his front nine at University Ridge Golf Course on his way to a 2-over 74 leaving the door open for Stricker to cruise to victory.

Alker shot a 70 with four birdies and two bogeys Sunday.

“Yeah, I was just trying to chase Stricker down again,” Alker said. “It’s kind of like how it’s been all year at the moment.

“It just shows how classy he is, how good he is. I played with him the first two days and just no mistakes, he’s putting good and wedging it good and just being Steve Stricker. Yeah, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Colin Montgomerie (69 on Sunday) of Scotland tied for fourth at 11 under with Joe Durant (72) and Justin Leonard (74). Leonard had opened the week with a 10-under 62.

–Field Level Media

Steve Stricker and England’s Paul Broadhurst fired matching 64s on Saturday to share the lead after two rounds of the American Family Insurance Championship in Madison, Wis.

The pair sit at 15-under-par 129, two strokes ahead of first-round leader Justin Leonard, who shot 69 and dropped to solo third. Leonard broke the course record with a 10-under-par 62 on Friday at University Ridge GC.

Joe Durant (Saturday 65), Steven Alker (68) and Marco Dawson (68) are tied for fourth place at 11 under. Stephen Ames (65) is five shots back in solo seventh.

Stricker posted a bogey-free round, carding eight birdies, while Broadhurst overcame an early bogey en route to his round of 8 under. Broadhurst birdied three of his last four holes, including No. 18.

“Just stayed patient really,” Broadhurst said. “Made a really bad bogey down No. 2 where people are making birdies and eagles.

“But I played solid all day and then sort of got it going from 7 in, really,” he added. “Just started to hole some putts. I missed a few early on.”

Stricker, on the other hand, holed six of his birdies on the front nine, including Holes 1 and 2, for opening rounds of 65-64.

“I was trying to make as many birdies as I could, but yeah, two good rounds, came out of the gate playing well today and birdied the first couple holes, so that’s always a good start, and kept it going on the front,” Stricker said. “Hit a lot of quality shots on that front nine and made some nice putts.”

Stricker is vying for his fourth win this season. He won each of the first two majors, the Regions Tradition and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, as part of his three wins.

–Field Level Media

Justin Leonard broke the course record with a 10-under-par 62 to establish a three-shot lead after one round of the American Family Insurance Championship on Friday in Madison, Wis.

Leonard carded five birdies on both nines at University Ridge Course while staying bogey-free. It was by far his best score at an official PGA Tour Champions event since joining the tour last summer.

“I didn’t play with any kind of score in mind,” Leonard said. “In fact, I got in the scoring trailer and the group that finished on 9, Tom Lehman asked me what I shot, I said I don’t know. That’s kind of the goal is just to get lost in the round.”

Leonard, who turns 51 next week, has three top-10 finishes this year but is still seeking his first win on the 50-and-over circuit.

Leonard spent much of his 40s working for Golf Channel in an analyst role before transitioning back to playing a full tournament schedule on the PGA Tour Champions.

“Being in Florida now, any given day I’m hitting balls next to Jessica Korda, Shane Lowry or Patrick Cantlay and I’ll pick their brains and fortunately they all like to talk,” Leonard said. “So ask them about certain things, whether it’s numbers they see in a launch monitor or whatever it may be. Being around, watching a lot of good players and now practicing with them, it’s been fun.”

Leonard also said he asks plenty of questions about the senior circuit when getting dinner with Steve Stricker, the Wisconsinite and host of the American Family Insurance Championship who’s part of a tie for second at 7-under 65.

Joining Stricker at 65 were Marco Dawson, Steven Alker of New Zealand and Paul Broadhurst of England. Stricker has won three events this season, including each of the first two majors, the Regions Tradition and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.

Stricker posted an eagle at the par-5 second hole to kickstart his round. Alker and Broadhurst finished their rounds without a bogey.

Broadhurst said he was inspired by his sons to have a memorable round.

“I’m third in the Broadhurst household today as well because my middle son’s playing on the Challenge Tour in Europe and shot 8 under today, so that was my inspiration,” he said. “Then my youngest son has just passed his A levels and got three distinction stars in fashion, so the Broadhurst household’s had a good day today.”

Tied for sixth at 6-under 66 were Paul Stankowski and South Korea’s Charlie Wi. Defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand opened with a 2-over 74.

–Field Level Media