AKRON, Ohio — Ernie Els received the Kaulig Firms Championship on Sunday for his first senior main title, closing with a 2-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Y.E. Yang at breezy Firestone.
A stroke behind defending champion Steve Stricker coming into the spherical, Els rebounded to par the ultimate two holes after hitting within the water and making a bogey on the par-5 sixteenth.
“It was a nerve wracking remaining couple of holes,” Els stated. “I obtained to the seventeenth tee and I noticed Y.E. go to 9 underneath, so now I’m pondering, ‘Don’t screw this up much more now.’”
Els grew to become the PGA Tour Champions’ first three-time winner this season, successful for the sixth time on the 50-and-over tour.
“That is going to nonetheless must settle in a bit of bit.” Els stated. “It was fairly a day.”
The 54-year-old South African has received 4 common main championships — the U.S. Open in 1994 and ‘97 and The Open in 2002 and ’12.
“We don’t have a lot time. I imply, I’m 54, so I’d wish to have an excellent journey.” Els stated. “I’d wish to play effectively and attempt to get some wins underneath the belt and see the place it takes me. Take it because it comes.”
Els completed at 10-under 270 after opening with rounds of 68 and 64. The Corridor of Famer earned $525,000 and a spot in The Gamers Championship in March.
Yang bogeyed the par-4 18th in a 66.
“Somewhat windy,” Yang stated. “At present only one shot, one shot, preserve going.”
Jerry Kelly, the 2020 and 2022 champion, was third at 7 underneath after a 69.
Stricker, additionally the 2021 winner at Firestone, shot 73 to tie for fourth at 6 underneath. He bogeyed the par-4 thirteenth, made a triple bogey on the par-4 14th and likewise bogeyed 18. The 17-time Champions winner is winless this season.
Ok.J. Choi additionally was 6 underneath after a 70.
