PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Steve Flesch birdied the 18th hole at Pebble Beach on Sunday to win the PGA Tour Championship, the Pure Insurance Championship.
Fleisch birdied the first four holes and five on the front nine with a strong start, then stalled later. But he got the lone birdie he needed with a putt from 8 feet on the par-5 finishing hole for a one-shot victory over Ernie Ells, Steven Alker and Paul Stankowski.
Fleisch shot 4-under 68 for a three-round total of 11-under 205 and earned $330,000. The 55-year-old won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic in May.
“I hung out in there all day,” Fleisch said. “I got off to a great start, but I think winning at Pebble Beach is every professional golfer’s dream.”
Alker, the Charles Schwab Cup money leader, was looking to become the first four-time winner on the over-50 tour this year. Els had the best round of the day with an 8-under 64, but his first win of the season came shortly after.
Stankowski made just two bogeys on the week in his best 26th start at the championship.
