Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark winners at American Family Insurance Championship. The forward-looking tournament was hosted at TPC Wisconsin. The pair shined playing in a better-ball format, where 32-under 181 in just three rounds was good enough to top a field of almost 700 teams. The 64 of 7-under par in their final round turned out to be the clinching shot in earning their team a crushing four-stroke victory.
Clarke, 56, and Bjorn, 54, provided exceptional chemistry and collaboration between the two throughout the tournament. They had very little trouble from that point on, opening with a blistering better-ball 59 that got things rolling. On Saturday, they further showcased their skills by shooting a 58 in a scramble round, which positioned them favorably ahead of the competition.
To compound things, the American Family Insurance Championship adopted a team format this year, which has players working even more together. This change was a masterstroke for Clarke and Bjorn, taking advantage of the new opportunity to focus on each other’s strengths. Their steady and fast pace throughout the weekend led them to victory, with an ever-increasing gap growing between them and their competitors.
In winning, Clarke became the fifth winner on the 59-and-over tour and further built upon his exceptional, 45-year-old professional golf resume. For Bjorn, this championship is a huge success as it is his first title ever on the Champions Tour. His achievement highlights his ability to compete at a high level despite the challenges faced in transitioning to this format.
The event was hosted by former champion Steve Stricker, who has been instrumental in promoting the tournament and enhancing its appeal. With Stricker’s continued involvement, the American Family Insurance Championship will continue to be a highlight on the golfing calendar.
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