Lake Orion, Mich. – Roger Chapman was looking up at Bernhard Langer at the start of the day Sunday. By the time the fourth round was complete, not only did Roger Chapman chase down Langer, he won the 33rd U.S. Senior Open convincingly at Indianwood Golf Club.
"This was a wonderful experience," said Chapman. "It hasn't sunk in yet. It's very, very special."
Chapman, who won this year’s Senior PGA Championship, shot 4-under 66 for an aggregate 10-under 270. He became the first British-born player to win a U.S. Senior Open. He’s two for two in majors thus far.
With a birdie on the par-4 14th hole, he built a three-stroke lead over Fred Funk and Tom Lehman. However, Lehman closed the gap to two strokes when he birdied the par-5 15th hole. Chapman’s lead fell to one stroke through 16 holes. Lehman, Fred Funk and Corey Pavin were in pursuit at eight under. But Chapman hit his tee shot stiff on No. 17, knocking the ball to within 1 foot, before carding his 18th birdie of the week to get back to 10 under.
"Just hit a career shot," said Chapman.
As much as the story was about Chapman erasing a four-stroke deficit, equally compelling was the way third-round leader Bernhard Langer lost his cushion. Langer carried a four-stroke lead over five players entering the fourth round. But hd an e haerrant drive on No. 2 that led to a double bogey. He shot two over and got back to eight under for the championship with a birdie on No. 18.
Full story will be forthcoming.