The battle for supremacy at the PGA Tour Champions’ season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship heated up on Friday as Stewart Cink maintained his lead with a steady 5-under 66. The 51-year-old Cink, who captured his first senior title earlier this year at the Ally Challenge, heads into the weekend with a 12-under 130 total and a three-stroke cushion over his nearest pursuer.
Hot on Cink’s heels is none other than Bernhard Langer, the ageless wonder of the Champions Tour. The 67-year-old German star, who boasts a record 46 career victories on the senior circuit, fired a scorching 64 to vault into second place. Langer’s round was a master class in precision and persistence, as he birdied five of his first seven holes and closed with a flourish, notching birdies on the 17th and 18th.
Every once in a while I look back at my career and have to almost pinch myself and say, ‘Man, that’s pretty amazing what you’ve done the last whatever so many years,′
– Bernhard Langer reflecting on shooting his age or better for the 21st time on the Champions Tour
While Cink’s round may not have been as flashy as Langer’s, it was a model of consistency and control. The six-time PGA Tour winner and 2009 Open Champion scattered six birdies against a lone bogey, showcasing the steady play that has become his hallmark since joining the over-50 set.
It was actually probably a cleaner round than yesterday as far as just my processes and the quality of the shots was probably a little bit better overall.
– Stewart Cink on his solid second round
Chasing Pack Looks to Mount a Charge
Further down the leaderboard, a host of familiar names are poised to make a weekend charge at Phoenix Country Club. Alex Cejka, the Czech-born German who has enjoyed a resurgence since turning 50, carded a 66 to move into third place at 7-under par. The four-time European Tour winner and 2021 Regions Tradition champion will look to put pressure on the leaders as he chases his third senior major title.
Defending champion Steven Alker finds himself in a tie for fourth at 4-under par after a solid 68. The New Zealander, who currently sits second behind Ernie Els in the season-long Charles Schwab Cup standings, knows a strong weekend could propel him to the $1 million bonus awarded to the champion. A win would be a fitting end to a remarkable season that has seen Alker notch five victories and 18 top-10 finishes in 24 starts.
Joining Alker at 4-under are Champions Tour stalwarts Vijay Singh (65), Miguel Angel Jiménez (68), Jerry Kelly (70), and Cameron Percy (68). Singh, the three-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer, seems to have rediscovered the form that made him one of the most dominant players of his generation. The Big Fijian’s 65 was the low round of the day and served notice that he remains a force to be reckoned with, even at age 59.
Els Lurking, Stricker’s Absence Felt
Ernie Els, the current Charles Schwab Cup points leader, finds himself five shots off the pace after a 70. The four-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer has been a model of consistency this season, with three victories and 13 top-10 finishes in 21 starts. While a five-shot deficit may seem daunting, Els has the experience and firepower to make a weekend charge and put pressure on the leaders.
One notable absence from the field is Steve Stricker, who qualified for the event but chose not to play. The 12-time PGA Tour winner and 2021 U.S. Ryder Cup captain has been a dominant force on the Champions Tour since turning 50, notching 10 victories in just 38 starts. His decision to skip the season finale was a surprising one, but it opens the door for his pursuers in the Charles Schwab Cup race.
Weekend Promises Thrilling Finish
As the PGA Tour Champions season comes to a close, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend at Phoenix Country Club. With Stewart Cink leading the way and Bernhard Langer in hot pursuit, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship has all the makings of a classic duel between two of the game’s most accomplished and respected players.
But with a host of seasoned veterans and rising stars in the chasing pack, the tournament is far from a two-horse race. The likes of Alex Cejka, Steven Alker, Vijay Singh, and Ernie Els will all fancy their chances of making a weekend charge and stealing the spotlight from the leaders.
As the sun sets on the 2024 Champions Tour season, one thing is certain: the Charles Schwab Cup Championship will provide a fitting finale to a year of remarkable performances and unforgettable moments. With $1 million on the line and pride at stake, expect fireworks over the final 36 holes as the greatest players of their generation battle for supremacy in the Arizona desert.
