Jenkins birdies final hole for his first victory of year
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- At age 52, Tom Jenkins' life is thriving on and off the golf course.
Jenkins, who became a father again last month, won for the second time on Senior PGA Tour, making a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole at the AT&T Canada Senior Open on Sunday.
"You don't get too many second chances in life, so you have to take advantage of it," Jenkins said. "I have a new family, so that's very exciting. And I'm giving myself a chance to win. It's a great feeling."
His 4-under-par 68 on the St. Charles Country Club course gave him a 14-under 274 total, one stroke better than Kermit Zarley.
A lesser light on the PGA Tour from 1973-85, Jenkins has thrived among the over-50 set. The first prize for his first victory of the year was $217,500 and it pushed him over the $1 million mark in official earnings this year with $1,134,196.
Playing in the final group of the day with Bruce Fleisher and Doug Tewell, Jenkins stepped to the 18th tee tied at 13-under with Zarley, who was playing in the group directly ahead.
Jenkins said he could see Zarley tap in for a par 5, and immediately felt a rush of adrenaline.
"I knew I was in a position to win it," said Jenkins, who hit a perfect wedge from 72 yards to set up the winning putt. "I had one putt to win. It was very straight, and halfway there I knew it was in.
"That's the situation you dream of. That's what we're all out here for."
Jenkins' only PGA Tour victory came in 1975 at the IVB-Philadelphia Classic. It took 24 more years before he would win again -- the Senior PGA Tour's Bell Atlantic Classic in the same city.
"I prayed it wouldn't take me another 24 years," he said.
It didn't, but Zarley and others didn't make it easy on him.
Zarley's closing 66 equaled the low round of the day, while Tewell had a 69 to finish third at 12-under 276. Fleisher, who shared the third-round lead with Jenkins, had a 72 and was at 278.
While Zarley was brilliant for most of the day, one blunder eventually cost him dearly.