Cochran edges Funk for Champions title

NEW SONGDO CITY, South Korea, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Russ Cochran had a birdie on the first playoff hole Sunday, defeating Fred Funk and winning the Champions Tour's Pocco E&C Songdo Championship in South Korea.

Funk had led the event after each of the first two rounds but missed a 3-foot birdie putt at No. 18 that left him tied with Cochran after 54 holes.

The playoff returned the players to the 18th, a par-5, 534-yard hole. Both players were in green-side bunkers after two shots. Cochran knocked his sand shot within 2 feet but Funk's effort didn't end up on the green and his chip shot from there missed.

Cochran was able to drop the short putt for the championship and $450,000 first-place check. It is the richest prize on the Champions Tour.

Cochran opened the day two strokes behind Funk and pulled into contention with consecutive birdies at Nos. 4-7. He had one bogey en route to a final-round 6-under 66 and a 54-hole total of a 12-under 204.

Funk opened Sunday's round with back-to-back birdies and he had four other birdies but bogeys at Nos. 4 and 11 allowed Cochran to keep within reach.

Tim Pernice, who shot 67 Sunday, finished in third at 11-under. Naomichi Ozaki (67) and D.A. Weibring (69) tied for fourth at 8-under.