Jerry Kelly successfully defends hometown Champions title

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:03 PM CDT Sunday, Jun. 13, 2021 Last Modified: 9:33 PM CDT Sunday, Jun. 13, 2021

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Jerry Kelly successfully defended his title in his hometown American Insurance Championship, closing with a 6-under 66 on Sunday for a one-stroke victory over Fred Couples and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/06/2021 (1887 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 54-year-old Kelly finished at 14-under 202 at University Ridge for his eighth PGA Tour Champions victory.

“Can’t get any better than this,” Kelly said. “After doubling the 18th hole yesterday and bogeying the first hole, I was reeling a little bit. … It means so much for me to win around here, and now twice, I’m over the moon.”

Couples bogeyed the par-5 18th for a 68. The 61-year-old Couples won the 2017 tournament for the last of his 13 senior titles.

“Hit a good shot. 18, I’ve been there before, I don’t mind driving it over there,” Couples said. “Then I chose to be long coming back this way. I knew I wasn’t going to get it close and it just came out hot and rolled through the green. I thought I was putting and then chipped it strong and pushed the putt and that was it.”

Jimenez, the leader after each of the first two rounds, shot a 69.

Jim Furyk (68) and Retief Goosen (68) tied for fourth at 12 under.

A 7-under 65 for Canadian Mike Weir, last week’s tournament runner-up, was good enough to propel the former Masters champion up 16 spots in a tie for seventh. The Brights Grove, Ont., golfer finished 9 under overall, five strokes behind Kelly.

Calgary’s Stephen Ames, last week’s tournament winner, shot an even-par 72 to finish at 3 over.

Tournament host Steve Stricker also tied for seventh at 9 under after a 65. The U.S. Ryder Cup captain, like Kelly, grew up and lives in Madison.

Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz was 79th among the 80 finishers, shooting a 74 to get to 16 over.