LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 31 (UPI) -- Hale Irwin emerged a day late Monday as the winner of the Senior PGA Championship after numerous rain delays.
Irwin won for the 40th time on the Champions Tour when he sank a short birdie putt on the 18th hole to edge Jay Haas by one stroke and capture the first major of the year on the elder circuit.
A week of flash floods, thunderstorms and tornadoe warnings forced the conclusion of the 72-hole event to be pushed back until Monday.
Irwin, 59 on Thursday, had a long eagle putt that came up short on 18. He tapped in for a par-71 and a four-round score of 8-under 276.
Haas, making his Champions Tour debut, shot 70 and was alone in second at 277.
Craig Stadler shot a final 69 to finish in third, three shots off the lead. Dave Barr (74), Mark James (69) and Tom Watson (73) shared fourth place at 282.
