Triplett … has now won on the PGA, Web.com and Champions Tours
AMERICAN golfer Kirk Triplett has taken his first Champions Tour title with a two stroke victory at the 2012 First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.
The man who at 49 became the oldest ever winner on the Web.com Tour (formerly Nationwide Tour) now has a win on the senior tour in just his eighth attempt.
Triplett qualified for the tour when he turned 50 in March and was delighted to have won in his rookie season.
“To win anywhere is special,” Triplett said. “But to win at Pebble Beach is extra special. To do it in my first Champions Tour try is great.”
The three-time US PGA Tour winner joined Olin Browne, Ron Streck, Keith Fergus, Tom Lehman and Gary Hallberg as players who have won on all three major us tours.
Triplett eagled the par-5 second hole and chipped in on the par-4 16th for the last of his five birdies. He finished with a 6-under 66 to be 10-under, two clear of Ireland’s Mark McNulty who shot a final round 68.
Brad Bryant (74), Jay Haas (69) and Bill Glasson (69) tied for third at 6 under.
Australia’s Peter Senior (73) was on the next rung of the leaderboard tied for ninth on 4-under along with Corey Pavin (72), Tom Kite (76), Jeff Sluman (67).
It was Senior’s fifth top ten finish of the year but he probably won’t be happy to again put himself in contention for his first Champions Tour win only to shoot a final round containing two birdies offset by three bogies.
The Champions Tour will play its fourth major of the year this week – the
2012 U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Indianwood Golf and Country Club in Lake Orion, Michigan. Olin Browne is the defending champion.
2012 First Tee Open Final Leaderboard