Scott McCarron eagled the par-5 18th hole Sunday, making a 6-foot putt after a brilliant approach, to win the Allianz Championship by a shot over Kenny Perry and Carlos Franco.
McCarron used his length, needing just a 7-iron from 179 yards after a booming drive, to finish off a 5-under 67 that left him at 17-under 199 after three trips around The Old Course at Broken Sound.
McCarron, who was second on the PGA TOUR Champions last year with 15 eagles, made a 100-foot putt at the seventh hole for an eagle to move him into the lead. After a bogey at 16 dropped him one back, McCarron thrilled the crowd at the final hole with his shot that cleared the front bunker and stopped below the hole
"I figured, why not make another eagle?" said McCarron, who earned $262,500 for this third win on the PGA TOUR Champions. "I couldn't see the shot because we were right into the sun, but it felt good. I knew it was good."
McCarron's heroics capped off a spectacular week of golf. The Allianz Championship had one of the best fields in the 37-year history of the PGA TOUR Champions, and record crowds flocked to Broken Sound to be treated by wonderful golf and ideal weather.
"This had the feel of a major championship," Hall of Fame golfer Lanny Wadkins said on Golf Channel's telecast.
At one point Sunday, seven players were tied for the lead. The leader board remained packed to the end, 12 players finishing within three shots of McCarron.
Perry, the tour's Player of the Year in 2013, had a chance to also reach 17-under, but his 10-foot eagle putt lipped out at No. 18.
"I hit a great putt," Perry said. "It was in the middle of the hole a foot from the hole and it broke just a hair to the right and the cup spit it out. I couldn't ask to hit a better putt."
Hall of Famer Fred Couples was a shot off the lead until he made a double bogey at the drivable par-4 seventh hole after an errant drive. Couples tied for sixth after a 69.
Paul Broadhurst (64) and Doug Garwood (69) tied for fourth place at 201.
It appeared the Allianz Championship was headed for his fourth playoff in the last six years until McCarron decided it was time to end the tournament and take the trophy home.
"All wins are exciting," McCarron said, "but to win the way I did was really special."
A special ending to a very special week.
