Ken Duke becomes PGA Tour's oldest first-time winner

Ken Duke, 44, has become the PGA Tour's oldest first-time winner in 18 years.

Duke, 44 beat Chris Stroud in a playoff at the Travelers Championship with a 2 1/2-foot birdie putt on the second hole Sunday. With the putt, he earned his first title in 187 career PGA Tour starts. In 183 out of those 187, Duke did not have a top-3 finish.

Duke is the oldest player to have a breakthrough win since 1995, when Ed Dougherty, then 47, won the Sanderson Farms Championship.

“I’ve lost tournaments by somebody chipping in on the last hole like that, or making a long putt and beating me probably six or seven times,” said Duke. “Finally doing it, it’s awesome.”

Duke shot a 4-under-par 66 during yesterday’s final round to overcome a two-shot deficit. Stroud shot 67.

The $1.1 million in prize money Duke was awarded only sweetened the deal.