Maggert Edges Sutherland in Regions Tradition


Jeff Maggert parred the first sudden-death playoff hole to beat Kevin Sutherland and win the Regions Tradition. The $2.3 million event, the first major of the year on the Champions Tour, was held at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, Alabama.

Maggert, who began the final round with a one-stroke lead over Sutherland, closed with an even-par 72 to end up tied in regulation with Sutherland, who shot a 71, at 14-under 274.

On the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th, the 51-year-old Maggert, a resident of Houston, sank a 3-foot par putt for the victory, his second on the over-50 circuit.

Sutherland - the first player in Champions Tour history to shoot a 59 - two-putted for a bogey on the first extra hole. After his drive found the lip of a fairway bunker, the Sacramento native missed the green with his approach and couldn't get up and down for par.

"This was a tournament I was looking forward to," Maggert told reporters later. "I kind of pointed it out early in my schedule and kind of wanted to get my game in shape to come here and play. I love the golf course. Things just came together well."

Maggert, whose first victory on the Champions Tour came in last year's Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, earned $345,000 for his latest title.

It was a two-man race on Sunday as no other players put pressure on Maggert and Sutherland. Ending up in third at 11-under 277 were Jeff Hart and Gene Sauers, who each shot 69, while Michael Allen (68), Bernhard Langer (70), Kenny Perry (70) and Tom Lehman (69) shared fifth at 279.

Perry was the defending champion and Lehman is a two-time Regions Tradition champion.

Tied for ninth at 280 were Tom Pernice Jr. and Fred Funk, who shot 71 and 74, respectively.

The Champions Tour now moves on to its second major of the year. The $2 million Senior PGA Championship starts next Thursday on the Pete Dye Course at French Lick in Indiana.

For all the scores of the Regions Tradition, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.