MAINEVILLE, Ohio, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Bob Gilder earned his fourth title in eight weeks and third in a playoff Sunday at the Kroger Senior Classic, defeating Tom Jenkins with a birdie on the second extra hole.
After both players parred the 18th to start the playoff, Gilder knocked his approach at the 10th within a foot of the cup and tapped in for victory after Jenkins missed a 12-foot birdie putt.
While his closest pursuers were setting course records, Gilder birdied two of the final five holes in regulation to close a 3-under-par 68 and force a playoff at 16-under 200.
Gilder finished the 54-hole event with just one bogey and earned his sixth Senior Tour victory. The reigning Rookie of the Year leads the tour this season with four wins, all coming in his last seven starts.
Jenkins matched Bruce Lietzke's course-record 62 at the TPC at River's Bend, then settled for his 10th top-10 finish of the season. He was seeking his second win of the year after claiming the Canada Senior Open in July.
Hale Irwin matched the previous course mark with a 64 and ended up alone in third at 15-under 201. He is second on the tour this season with three titles.
Lietzke's 62 left him in a tie for fourth with Tom Kite at 13-under 203. Larry Nelson and Ed Dougherty were another stroke back.
