RICHMOND, Va. — Tim O’Neal secured his first victory on the PGA Tour Champions by carding a remarkable 7-under 65, which included two birdies in the final three holes, to finish two strokes ahead of Ricardo Gonzalez at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

O’Neal maintained a slim one-shot advantage for much of the back nine at The Country Club of Virginia. However, he showcased his skill with a stellar wedge shot that landed just 6 feet from the hole on the par-5 16th, followed by another impressive wedge on the par-5 18th that spun back to 5 feet.

Gonzalez, on the other hand, struggled with his putter down the stretch, missing three birdie opportunities from inside 10 feet. In a bid to force a playoff, he needed an eagle on the final hole but faltered, ending up in the bunker after hooking his shot to the left of the fairway and settled for a par, finishing the day with a score of 69.

At 52 years old, this triumph was particularly significant for O’Neal, who had endured past disappointments while attempting to qualify for the PGA Tour. His most notable heartache came in 2000 when he entered the last hole needing just a bogey but ended up with a triple bogey.

Before his victory, O’Neal had found success on the Latin America circuit and on smaller European tours, securing three wins on each. “It only takes one week, and this was my week,” O’Neal expressed emotionally, trying to hold back tears of joy.

This victory not only marked a personal milestone for O’Neal but also propelled him into the top 54 of the Charles Schwab Cup standings, advancing him to the upcoming postseason event in Arkansas. He made a significant leap from No. 55 to No. 13, ensuring his place among the top 36 for the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

“For me to get it done when I had to, that means a lot,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of this victory to him. O’Neal is well-liked in the senior circuit community, with fellow players offering their congratulations as Gonzalez completed his round.

O’Neal’s impressive 65 was the best score of the week, finishing with a total of 13-under 203. As he played the 18th hole, he continued to maintain his edge, following Gonzalez who had just made a near-certain birdie from 3 feet on the 16th. O’Neal matched that pressure with a well-placed shot, followed by a perfect wedge on the final hole that effectively sealed his victory.

David Brandson finished in third place with a score of 67, ensuring his spot in the top 54, while Paul Goydos managed to birdie three of his last four holes, scoring a 70 and moving up 11 positions to No. 48. Meanwhile, Chris DiMarco, Kirk Triplett, and Angel Cabrera fell out of the top 54 in the Schwab Cup rankings, concluding their season.