Zach Johnson Edges Ben Crane for Fifth Win at Sanford International

Zach Johnson birdied the final two holes to beat Ben Crane by one stroke at the Sanford International, securing his fifth PGA Tour Champions victory of 2026.

The 50-year-old closed with a 4-under 66 to finish at 11-under 199 after rounds of 69-64-66. Crane, another rookie on the senior circuit, shot 10-under to claim second place.

Johnson began Sunday sharing the lead with open qualifier Jay Jurecic at 7-under. His late finish proved decisive after Crane applied pressure over the closing holes.

Johnson Takes Control at the 17th

Crane birdied three of his final four holes, but his bogey at the 17th produced a two-shot swing when Johnson made birdie in the same group. Johnson then birdied the 18th to secure the title on his Sanford International debut.

He became the first player to birdie the final hole for a one-stroke PGA Tour Champions victory since David Toms at the 2026 Chubb Classic.

Johnson also joined Steve Stricker, the inaugural champion in 2018, and Miguel Ángel Jiménez in 2020 as players who won the Sanford International on their first appearance.

The result improved Johnson’s record when holding or sharing the lead entering the final round to four wins from five opportunities. His only failure to convert came at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, where he finished third under Modified Stableford scoring.

14 starts … 5 wins 🏆

Zach Johnson is making the most of his first season on PGA Tour Champions. pic.twitter.com/nagQvsYPQQ

— PGA Tour Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 13, 2026

Fifth Victory of Johnson’s Rookie Season

Johnson has now recorded five victories and 13 top-10 finishes from 14 starts since turning 50 on February 24. He remains second in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

His earlier wins came at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, Principal Charity Classic, Kaulig Companies Championship and Portugal Invitational.

The victory moved Johnson level with Charles Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink for the most titles this season. Cink collected his fifth at the Boeing Classic in August.

Johnson’s five wins represent the fifth-highest single-season total by a PGA Tour Champions rookie. His career includes 12 PGA Tour victories, including the 2007 Masters and 2015 Open Championship.

Five Players Share Third

Crane’s runner-up finish lifted him from 12th to ninth in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Defending champion Retief Goosen, Mario Tiziani, Boo Weekley, Ryan Armour and Chad Campbell shared third at 8-under. Tiziani produced Sunday’s lowest round with a 63, while Armour and Campbell each recorded their best PGA Tour Champions finish.

Jurecic closed with a 71 to finish tied eighth, his first top-10 result in four starts. Bernhard Langer, 69, shot 67 to equal or beat his age for the 48th time on the circuit. Jay Haas, 72, achieved the feat for the 49th time with a 70.

The Sanford International opened the six-event Sprint to St. Louis. Points earned across the closing regular-season tournaments will determine three finalists competing for a $200,000 winner-take-all prize at the Stifel Charity Classic.

The first person to hug Zach Johnson after winning @SanfordIntl? Runner-up Ben Crane.

“I’m at a loss right now. I just played against one of my best friends it felt like, and he made me earn it. I don’t even love him, I adore him. Ben and I have been doing life together forever.… pic.twitter.com/3zTW9LOfJV

— PGA Tour Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 13, 2026

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