Langer claims Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Henrico on first playoff hole

Bernhard Langer won the 2021 Dominion Energy Charity Classic at The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course Oct. 24, holing out a six-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Doug Barron on a bright Sunday in Henrico’s West End.

Langer, playing in the last group on the course, had birdied the 18th hole to force the playoff with Barron after both men finished the three-round event at 14 under par. Barron and Langer both were on the green in three shots in the playoff, but Barron’s attempt at a birdie putt lipped out, leaving Langer a slightly shorter putt for the win. He sank it to win $305,000, and in so doing became the oldest player ever to win a PGA Tour Champions event, at 64.

For Langer, it was his second win in the six-year-old tournament (he also won in 2017) and it continued his run of stellar play at the course; he’s never finished worse than tied for six.

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The win also inched Langer, of Germany, closer to the all-time record for event wins on the tour, which is for players 50 and older, with 42. Hale Irwin holds the record with tour 45 wins.

With Sunday’s win, Langer also retained the overall lead in the Champions tour playoff race, which features two more events (in Boca Raton, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona).

Each day at the CCV course, large galleries of fans followed Phil Mickelson, who won the 2020 DECC in his first-ever Champions tour event. Last October, Mickelson scorched the course to the tune of 17 under par during his three days of competition.

In May, he became the oldest golfer (50) ever to win a major championship, claiming he PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

But this time at the CCV course, he struggled, finishing at even par and tied for 47th in the 65-player field.

On Saturday, he scored a 9 on the par-4 ninth hole, then astonishingly repeated that mistake again Sunday on the same hole.