Charles Schwab Championship – Final day Highlights
Charles Schwab Championship finally ended on 7th November 2010 at Harding Park in San Francisco. Here is a recap of the last day’s proceedings.
The tournament started with Michael Allen first, John Cook second and David Frost third. However, as the tournament proceeded to mid way, strong showers of rain brought the game to halt. After the break, John Cook smashed five birdies against a bogey to spurge into lead. He was chased by Michael Allen, the man who broke Cook’s course lowest record in Saturday’s round. Allen posted an aggregate of 15-under-par, but could not cope with the down pours and surrendered to take a back seat.
David Frost remained firm on his position, but could not match the third day score of 65. The South African parred the scorecard and seized the third place on the leader board.
The leader of the Champions tour money ranking, Bernhard Langer bogeyed the second hole of the course and gave the ending a different start. However, to cover up the loss, the five-time winner of 2010 picked up three birdies in the front nine to wrap the first half with one-under-par. Like Michael Allen, the 53-year-old stumbled at the back nine and could not pick up a single point, hence closing the round on two-under-par. He earned an annuity of $1 million.
The German veteran is certain to win his third consecutive Jack Nicklaus Trophy as the tour's player of the year. Langer won the Arnold Palmer Award this season and currently he holds the record of being the only professional to lead the money list three times.
Commenting on his achievement, Langer said, "I came out here three years ago trying to be one of the dominant players. I had no clue that this was going to happen. Looking back it's been an unbelievable year. The thing I (hadn't) done so far is winning the Schwab Cup, so this was a big deal for me. To come out on top is a great feeling and it's worth all the hard work over the years."
Sixth on the money list, Fred Funk shared the fifth place of the leader board with three other veterans, Tom Lehman, Russ Cochran and Tom Pernice Jr. Another player who shares Fred’s first name took the tenth place with Corey Pavin. Fred Couples is second on the rankings and by securing a top 10 position; he has earned a bonus of $500,000.
The worst score of the day was produced by Mark Wiebe. The American teed off from back nine and became the subject of highest scoring. He carded 75 by drafting five bogeys against two birdies.
According to the press releases, the real tournament was between Michael Allen and John Cook. Both the men gave each other a tough challenge. In fact, at one point of the event, the general perception turned in Allen’s favour. The player picked up two birdies at the 9th and 10th to enjoy temporary lead. However, Cook quickly refined his recipe and fired a 15-feet long putt at the par-5 10th to deflect the direction of the lead.
Cook refined his scorecard with another birdie on 16th, whereas, Allen could only manage to par rest of the holes.
The final tournament under Champion Tour 2010 ended on Sunday with John Cook in the lead. The player won the prize money of $442,000 along with the bonus. The event comprised of thirty toppers from the money rankings and like the Tour Championship in PGA tour, there was no mid way cut. Cook defended his title with utmost grace, although this was his first victory in the current year.
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