Calgary, Alberta — Jerry Kelly missed a chance to win in the regular season and then went on short work in the playoffs on Sunday to win the Shaw Charity Classic with a 4-foot birdie putt. His third title this season on the PGA Tour Championship.
Kelly closed with a 3-under 67 and a playoff win over John Houston, who had a 65, one of his best chances to win in 11 years on the 50-and-over Tour.
The final round was very tight, with five players one shot behind.
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Leading into the final round, Kirk Triplett made a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th to join Kelly and Houston for a 9-under 201. But it lost speed and grabbed the edge of the cup. Trippett had a 69.
U.S. Senior Open champions Padraig Harrington (66), Joe Durant (62), Dean Wilson (66) and Alex Seika (66) also finished by one stroke Missed the playoffs. Cejka won the European Legends Tour last week.
Kelly’s tense moments come from regulation. He had a 15-foot birdie putt about 4 feet from the hole — roughly the same distance Triplett missed — and he needed par to make the playoffs.
But in overtime on Day 18, Kelly got the birdie he needed to join Steven Alker as the only three-time PGA Tour winner of the week. Ark, who still leads the Schwab Cup standings, did not play this week.
“I love coming to Canada,” Kelly said. “Winning here is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Kelly has played 13 Canadian Opens on the PGA Tour, but has only finished in the top 10 twice.
The PGA Tour champion will next head to the Seattle area for the Boeing Classic.
