A closing one-under-par 71 on Sunday saw Ernie Els finish in a share of third in the first senior major championship of the year, three off the winning total in the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Alabama.
Els, who was in a share of the lead after 53 holes with eventual winner Doug Barron, made five birdies and four bogeys while Barron carded a four-under-par 68 to pull off a two-stroke victory over Steven Alker of New Zealand. Els shared third with Stewart Cink and Steve Stricker of the United States.
Behind Els, Retief Goosen closed with a two-over 75 to finish on two-over for the tournament in a share of 50th. David Frost also had a closing 74 and he was in a share of 67th on seven-over.
Barron took the title for his third PGA Tour Champions victory and first major title, while wins eluded him throughout his PGA Tour career, where he didn’t finish higher than third in 238 events.
