Rory Sabbatini Ends 15-Year Win Drought at Stifel Charity Classic

Rory Sabbatini won the Stifel Charity Classic on the PGA Tour Champions on Sunday, closing with a 9-under 62 at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis to beat Darren Clarke by one stroke for his first PGA Tour-sanctioned victory since the 2011 Honda Classic.

How Did Sabbatini Complete the Comeback?

The South African-born Slovakian trailed by four strokes with nine holes to play before an eagle at the par-5 15th sparked three consecutive birdies. He had already eagled the par-5 second and made the front nine in 33 with three birdies against two bogeys. A 25-foot eagle putt at the 15th and a 40-foot birdie at the last sealed the finish. A four-shot deficit with nine holes left turned into a one-shot win on the back of a closing 62.

A four-shot deficit with nine holes left turned into a one-shot win on the back of a closing 62.

What Did Sabbatini Say About the Win?

It was Sabbatini's maiden PGA Tour Champions title, arriving in the first week of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. "It's beyond words," he said, reflecting on his first senior-tour win as a 50-year-old rookie on the circuit.

Who Else Finished Near the Top?

Clarke, the 2011 Open champion, finished alone in second. Former LIV golfer Henrik Stenson, who played a bogey-free three-under final round, tied for third with Steven Alker and Mario Tiziani. Sabbatini had not won a PGA Tour-sanctioned event in 15 years and stepped away from competitive golf for more than two years before turning 50, citing mental exhaustion. He has described his return to the game as enjoyable, while acknowledging it has taken time to relearn how to compete at a high level.