Clarke tied ninth as Bertsch wins maiden title in Missouri

Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland hits his tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge at Buffalo Ridge Golf Course on August 19, 2020 in Branson, Missouri. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Darren Clarke had to settle for a share of ninth as Shane Bertsch eagled the first hole of a four-man playoff Friday to win the Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge in his second PGA TOUR Champions start.

Bertsch, who closed with a one-over 72 to tie with Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and Glen Day on 14-under, hit an approach to 20 feet at Buffalo Ridge's par-5 first hole and rolled in the putt to win. Scores

The 50-year-old Bertsch, a three-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, won the senior qualifying tournament last year to earn a PGA TOUR Champions card. He made his delayed senior debut three weeks ago with a tie for 45th in The Ally Challenge in Michigan.

"We've had a couple tough years," said Bertsch, who won $450,000. "I haven't had much status the last few. I even took a job last summer and I've been doing some teaching in Denver and stuff. This is what I always have wanted to do, so I'm happy that I got the opportunity to keep playing for a while."

Clarke carded rounds of 66 and 67 to go into the final round five shots behind Bertsch on nine-under. But after going out in three-under 32 thanks to birdies at the third, sixth and eighth, he played the back nine in two-over.

A 70 left the Dungannon man tied for ninth on 10-under, three shots outside the playoff, though he earned $81,000.