Zach Johnson birdied the final two holes to earn the Sanford International title by one shot over Ben Crane on Sunday afternoon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Johnson posted a 4-under-par 66 in the final round to finish 11-under 199 at Minnehaha Country Club and collect the fifth victory of his rookie year on the PGA Tour Champions. He secured the $330,000 first-prize check and tied Stewart Cink for the most wins this season.
Johnson, 50, declared the PGA Tour Champions his favorite tour he has ever played on.
“A long litany of reasons: It’s still competition, it’s less stress on my body, I’m playing with all my buddies again, I don’t have to play every week, there’s off weeks and I feel like I’ve graduated,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve made it — greener pastures.”
Johnson had to finish strong because Crane birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to take a one-shot lead. But while Johnson picked up a birdie at the par-3 17th, Crane suffered his third bogey of the day to give Johnson a one-shot edge. Both birdied No. 18 to close out their 66s.
“I knew going into 15 where I stood,” Johnson said. “Ben made a heck of an up-and-down on 15, amazing up-and-down on 16, and took (the lead) and earned it. And so, I had to go and at least give myself a chance. I can’t control what he’s going to do, but at least give myself an opportunity.”
Jay Jurecic — the 56-year-old former teacher who qualified for the tournament on Monday and shared the lead with Johnson entering the final round — managed a 71 on Sunday to share eighth place at 6 under. His previous best on the Champions Tour was a tie for 54th.
Mario Tiziani and Boo Weekley made big runs early in the day to challenge the leaders. Tiziani produced a bogey-free 63 — the best round of the tournament — to finish at 8 under and share third with Weekley (64), Ryan Armour (66), first-round co-leader Chad Campbell (67) and South Africa’s Retief Goosen (68).
–Field Level Media
