Bernhard Langer won the 2024 Charles Schwab Cup Championship, extending his PGA Tour Champions-leading 47th victory streak and clinching his first win of the season. This victory also marked the first time Langer has won on the senior circuit every year since 2007. At 67 years old, Langer shot his age on Saturday to take the 54-hole lead at the Phoenix Country Club. Friday’s second round saw him beat his age by three, while Sunday’s final round showcased his 23rd time shooting his age or better. Langer’s consistent performance throughout the tournament earned him the victory, with a final-round score of 66 to finish at 18 under.
The final round of the championship saw Langer start strong with four straight birdies and a five-point lead. However, back-to-back bogeys on the back nine briefly cut his lead to three. Despite challenges from Steven Alker and Richard Green, Langer managed to maintain his three-point lead through strategic birdies in the latter half of the round. Tensions peaked on the 17th hole when Alker and Green matched Langer’s score at 17 under, creating a three-way tie for the lead. However, Langer’s birdie on the 18th hole secured his victory.
Langer’s win at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship is his first in this tournament and is also his 25th win at a PGA Tour Champions event. For Langer, the victory in Phoenix was a first after several attempts on the course. His ability to putt well despite challenges of not being able to stop the ball on the green with shorter irons contributed to his success. Langer’s competitiveness was evident as he expressed pride in his ability to match his age with his scorecard and break his age twice during the tournament.
In addition to his victory at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Langer’s triumph is particularly remarkable considering his recovery from a ruptured Achilles earlier in the year. Despite missing seven events, Langer’s positive outlook and determination allowed him to return to the tour after just three months of recovery. The use of a golf cart during competition also aided his comeback, allowing him to continue playing despite not being at 100%.
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship uses a unique points system where the tournament winner and the season-long points leader can be different individuals. While Langer clinched the tournament victory, Steven Alker secured his second Charles Schwab Cup title, highlighting the distinction between the two accomplishments. The season’s points system introduces an added layer of competition and strategy for the players, with separate recognition for both the tournament winner and the overall season champion.
