Langer wins Charity Classic with strong finish

Bernhard Langer of Germany drained a 15-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to win the Dominion Energy Charity Classic at Richmond, Va., on Sunday.

The victory was Langer’s sixth of the season and the latest win comes in the first of three Champions Tour events that make up the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs.

Langer finished at 16-under 200 after a final-round 70 on The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course to win by one shot over Scott Verplank (66).

Billy Mayfair (65), Kenny Perry (65) and Fiji’s Vijay Singh (71) tied for third at 204.

Verplank made six birdies during a bogey-free round and was the leader in the clubhouse when Langer began playing the par-5, 516-yard 18th hole.

Langer made it on the green in two shots and then sank the putt to overtake Verplank and win his 35th career Champions title.

“Finally, I made one when it really mattered,” Langer said in a post-round television interview.

Langer shot an opening-round 67 and then matched the course record with a blistering 63 on Saturday.

“I played really good this week,” Langer said. “I didn’t miss a fairway and missed one green the first day, similar the second day. Made no bogeys. Today was a little more shaky, just a little bit out of rhythm.

“I started off really good. Hit the ball great and gave myself opportunities. The putter was ice cold.”

Duffy Waldorf (66) and Joe Durant (71) finished in a tie for sixth at 11 under.