CALIFORNIA — Steve Allan of Australia got off to a fast start to his final round and secured his first PGA Tour Champions title by winning the Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Allan, who entered the day with a one-shot edge, made five birdies on the front nine Sunday and played the back nine in even par for a 5-under 67. He saved a par 5 at the 18th to shoot 15-under 201 for the tournament, one better than Tag Ridings.
Allan, 51, only got into the field because Steve Stricker withdrew Monday due to a bad back. He capitalised on his opportunity.
“The guys that win (on tour) are playing really well,” Allan said. “You saw Stephen Ames, Steve Alker, Steve Stricker – all the Steves – but some of the scores they shot were great. You’re looking at genuinely good golf.
“So like I said, I knew I had to step it up a little bit this year, otherwise I was going to be doing the same thing, and the first few weeks weren’t that good, so this was nice that it came together.”
It was a long time coming for Allan, who played on the PGA Tour, the European Tour and in his native Australia during his career.
“Funny story, I won the Australian Open in 2002 and it was my second year, four years after my first win,” Allan said according to Reuters, “and I told my girlfriend, now my wife, ‘It won’t be four years until I win again.’
“Unfortunately it’s been 23 years. It’s a big relief to get a win.”
Allan said he had his chances between Nos. 10-13 to add more distance between himself and the pack, but he missed some birdie opportunities. Ridings made it close when he made strings of three birdies at Nos. 9-11 and against at 14-16.
Ridings carded a 67 and finished the day where he started – one behind Allan.
Steve Flesch (64), Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (65) and New Zealand’s Steven Alker (67) tied for third at 13 under.
