Savannah, Georgia: Gary Player recorded his 165th career victory yesterday at the Legends of Golf tournament in Savannah, Georgia. Player and his partner Bob Charles won the Demaret Division setting a new tournament record 36-hole total of 19-under-par, 125. The pair successfully defended their 2009 title and managed to beat their own record of 18-under-par set during last year’s victory.
The two legends of the game started the day with a five-shot lead and were extremely confident coming off of Tuesday’s 11-under-par 61, but the team of Don Bies and Tom Shaw were not about to hand the tournament to the defending champs. Bies and Shaw carded birdies on the first five holes and put the pressure on Player and Charles.
“We were feeling the pressure, no question about it,” Player said. “The older you are, the more you feel it. The engine starts running out of gas.”
Player and Charles, both known for their exceptional ability to perform under pressure, remained calm. Player made an 18-foot birdie putt at 14th and Charles finished with birdies at the 17th and 18th to close with a two shot advantage. It was reminiscent of 2009 when Player holed a 4-foot putt on the final hole to seal a one-shot victory.
“We were feeling the pressure when Don and Tom made those birdies to start the round. I was losing confidence quickly out there, but we made the shots when we had to.” Charles said.
“We needed a little more help from them than we got,” Bies said. “But I’m afraid you don’t get a lot of help from Charles and Player.”
Player and Charles have both indicated they plan to return next year to try for three in a row. Knowing these guys they’ll do it.
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