Ernie Els emerged victorious at the American Insurance Family Championship in a thrilling playoff against long-time rival Steve Stricker. The two legends of the game have a history of fierce competition that dates back nearly thirty years. Els managed to erase a four-shot deficit over the final seven holes to force a playoff, which ultimately ended in his favor.
Reflecting on their final round pairing, Stricker mentioned how Els had previously chased him down in the 1996 World Match Play Championship, a memory that resurfaced during their latest showdown. Despite having a commanding lead, Stricker was unable to close the door on Els, who showcased his resilience and skill on the back nine.
Els admitted to feeling frustrated after bogeying key holes earlier in the round, but managed to regroup and make a strong comeback. The tournament turned into a two-horse race on the back nine, with both players making crucial birdies to stay in contention. Ultimately, the first big mistake in the playoff decided the outcome.
This victory marks the second consecutive tournament win for Els on the PGA Tour Champions, solidifying his status as one of the top contenders on the tour. Stricker, on the other hand, was left ruing missed opportunities and a sudden end to the tournament, as his par-saving putt on the 18th lipped out unexpectedly.
Despite holding a commanding lead earlier in the final round, Stricker was unable to maintain his advantage as Els rallied with three consecutive birdies to catch up. A missed opportunity on the 14th hole allowed Els to erase the four-shot deficit completely, leading to a dramatic finish in the playoff.
For Skip Kendall, a native of Fox Point, competing in his second tournament of the year proved to be a positive experience. Kendall finished tied for 19th place and expressed confidence in his ability to compete with the field. Jerry Kelly, a two-time tournament champion, struggled with his game and finished tied for 38th after a disappointing final round.
University of Wisconsin alumnus Mario Tiziani closed out the tournament with a solid even-par round to finish tied for 38th. Looking ahead, Tiziani will be competing in the U.S. Senior Open later in the month. Another local, Michael Crowley, made his PGA Tour Champions debut and finished 71st overall after shooting his best round of the tournament.
Overall, the American Insurance Family Championship provided fans with an exciting finish as Ernie Els emerged victorious in a playoff against Steve Stricker. The competitive nature of the tournament, along with standout performances from local players, added to the excitement and showcased the talent on display in the PGA Tour Champions.
