The Senior PGA Championship concluded today with a strong performance from the winner, Angel Cabrera. A spirited 5-under across 10 holes saw him edge Padraig Harrington and Thomas Bjørn to win the 85th edition of the tournament. The 55-year-old Argentinian became the fifth player since 1990 to win the first two senior majors of the year, the Regions Tradition and the Senior PGA Championship. He’s the first to do it in consecutive weeks, making today’s victory his second in six days.
“Well, I feel very proud of myself, especially because I didn’t know that I was the first one to do it,” said Cabrera. “Like with all of these great players, I feel even prouder of myself.”
Outside of Cabrera, Harrington, and Bjørn, the top 10 was rounded out by Retief Goosen (-6), Jason Caron (-6), Stewart Cink (-6), Cameron Percy (-5), Vijay Singh (-4), Soren Kjeldsen (-4), and Darren Fichardt (-4).
With a week full of ups and downs on the leaderboard, Padraig Harrington was on a tear. He shot 7-under on the round through 14, and it looked like it was just a matter of time until he hoisted the trophy. For 85% of the round, the day was his, and in an instant, it wasn’t. Two holes, starting at 15, upended his entire day, and you could tell it was eating at him. It fell apart with a double-bogey on 15 and a bogey on 18, which saw him lose the tournament by a single stroke. You could hear the anguish and sorrow in his voice as he spoke after the match.
“Yeah, you know, I got off to a good start. Kept my head down. Like 7-under through 14, I could have been more, doing handstands,” he began. After his lighthearted start, the Irishman poured his heart out.
“You know, I’ve had a lifelong problem with getting confident and cocky and I did on the 15 tee box it was such a simple tee shot. 5-wood, a little draw down there, and I just totally didn’t get into it enough and then panicked at the last moment and hit a big hook.”
“It’s always plagued me my whole life since I was a kid. Just get overconfident and just don’t. I’d be much better off if I got to the 15th hole and there was water everywhere. Probably would’ve done a better job. I just sometimes just… it follows me around. I can get overconfident.”
Next up for the senior tour is the Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 30. Not to be confused with Marvel’s finest, the tour will take place at the Wakonda Club.
Learn more about the PGA TOUR Champions HERE
-Jon Jones
Photo: Richard Randolph