NAPLES, Fla. — Justin Leonard claimed his first PGA Tour Champions title at the Chubb Classic, bouncing back from a challenging start with an impressive performance on the back nine at Tiburon’s Black Course.
Leonard finished with a 4-under 68, making five birdies in the final seven holes to secure a four-stroke win over Billy Andrade. At 52 years old, this victory came during Leonard’s 45th appearance on the over-50 circuit, marking his first triumph since his last win on the PGA Tour at the 2008 St. Jude Championship.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve won, and I tell myself all the time that I have won,” Leonard expressed emotionally on the 18th green. “But it’s easy to kind of forget a little bit, and say, ‘Well, you know, is it going to be?’ I just put a lot of work in. Last year was so bad it was good. It made me reassess my golf swing, and it’s just so wonderful to finally be here because I always believed I would be.”
Following a bogey on the 10th hole, which brought him to 1 over for the day, Leonard managed a crucial par on the 11th and then surged with three consecutive birdies. After another par on the 16th, he sank a lengthy 30-foot birdie putt on the 17th and secured one final birdie by getting up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the 18th hole.
“I kept telling myself that I was still in it,” added Leonard. “I felt like my best golf was ahead of me. I played okay in the first ten holes; the last part of the round was better. I was just focused on owning those final seven holes, and once I found a bit of momentum, I felt I could sustain it.”
Leonard completed the tournament at 15-under 201, having shot a brilliant 65 on Saturday that gave him a one-stroke advantage heading into the final round. This victory signifies his return to competitive golf after spending time as a television analyst.
Leonard has a storied career, highlighted by his accomplishments at various levels. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1992 and the NCAA championship in 1994 during his amateur days. He also claimed victory at the 1997 British Open and played a pivotal role in the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline, making the winning putt.
“I didn’t focus on anything in particular today, but just knowing I’ve been there before,” said Leonard. “Even if it was 10, 20, or 30 years ago, I’ve experienced success before.”
Andrade mirrored Leonard’s performance, also shooting a 68. Darren Clarke finished in third place at 10 under, having shot 68 as well.
Fred Couples carded a 66, finishing tied for fourth at 9 under alongside Richard Green (68), Heath Slocum (70), and Paul Stankowski (71). Ernie Els, who entered the day just one stroke behind Leonard, struggled with a 75, finishing 11th at 7 under.
Bernhard Langer concluded the tournament with a 70, tying for 12th at 6 under. He holds the record for the most wins in this event, having taken the title five times.
