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Inside The Champions Tour Finale

Something special happens when legends make history right in front of you. Sunday at the 2024 Charles Schwab Cup Championship was exactly that day. World-class golf under the Arizona sun and Phoenix Country Club became the perfect stage for the action. With a leaderboard stacked with legends, fans braced for a classic finale and got exactly what they came for: Bernhard Langer, a true icon, rising to the occasion with a birdie putt on 18 to secure his win.

The Course Conditions

Phoenix Country Club was dialed in for the event, rumored to have greens running at 13 on the stimpmeter. Every hole seemed to challenge the pros, mainly the par-5 18th, where Langer would sink that memorable birdie. I had to grin—my lowest round here is a 68, and I know how much this course can keep you on your toes!

Phoenix Country Club has seen some of golf’s greatest moments, and it once again served as a fitting finale for the Champions Tour season, adding another chapter to its storied history.

Tournament Highlights

Bernhard Langer’s closing round was the stuff of golf lore.

At 67 years young, Langer played as if time hadn’t touched him, closing with a 66 and sinking a thrilling birdie putt on the 18th. That reaction, arms in the air, hat tossed, released decades of grit, showing he’s still a fierce competitor. Not only did this mark his 47th career win on the Champions Tour, but it also extended his record of winning every year since joining the senior circuit in 2007.

Langer’s round on Sunday was one for the ages (literally); he shot his age on Saturday to take the 54-hole lead and followed up with a 66 to clinch the title. Steven Alker and Richard Green finished at 17 under, each narrowly missing the birdie on 18 that would have forced a playoff. As Langer watched their putts, the atmosphere was charged, and when he realized he’d secured the win, his face lit up with pure joy.

Fan Experience

The crowd at Phoenix was as much a part of the experience as the course itself.

Arizona’s golf fans know how to bring the energy—there were families, avid fans, and even folks who’d caught the golf bug just that morning. Everyone was there for the love of the game, and the players noticed, stopping to chat and sign autographs, making it a day that felt personal and electric all at once.

Even behind the ropes, you could catch players joking with each other. I overheard Langer and his caddie, Mark North, laughing about a similar birdie he’d sunk in a tournament years back, a reminder that the legends we admire are also people who love the game as much as we do.

Lessons from the Legends

Watching Langer’s calm, collected approach, it hit me how vital a consistent pre-shot routine is—whether you’re a champion or a weekend golfer, staying steady under pressure is everything. Langer’s grit and resilience are lessons in mental toughness that are pure gold for us.

As the sunset over the mountain skyline, it was clear that the Valley had witnessed something special. For those who missed it, pencil in next year’s season finale.

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Stonecreek Golf Club

Open Date: 1983

City: Phoenix, AZ

Difficulty: Moderate

Course Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Hole: 10th Hole — A par 4 that makes you think. It’s a dogleg right with water lurking, so you’ve got to place that drive just right to avoid the water and the fairway bunkers. Precision is key here.

Description: Stonecreek is a local favorite, perfectly balancing challenge and playability. The layout, designed by the legendary Desmond Muirhead, blends lush, tree-lined fairways with strategically placed water hazards and bunkers.

The course has a parkland feel, with many elevation changes, and it’s a solid test for golfers of all skill levels. You’ll see everything from wide-open fairways to tricky doglegs and water features that demand smart course management.

Why You Should Play: Stonecreek covers you if you want more variety than the standard desert layout. It’s got that nice mix of challenges without being punishing. You’ll appreciate the design, the vibe, and how well it’s maintained. This price is an excellent option for a fun round without breaking the bank.

A Review of Every Golf Course I’ve Played in Arizona - Top Public and Private Picks 

Need To Know

• Tiger Woods was filling his mind with words intended to make him great. He wrote some of the messages from his self-help cassettes on a sheet of paper that he taped to his bedroom wall. (Founders)

• The presidential election could shape the future of professional golf as the PGA Tour, Saudi Arabia’s PIF, and the DP World Tour prepare to finalize a groundbreaking deal. The U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust review will determine whether this billion-dollar agreement moves forward or faces regulatory roadblocks. (Golf Bizz Review)

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In The Know

• This exciting 6-person team event will have you and your friends compete in a unique format: two scores count per hole, one from the “Turkey Ball” (rotating among players) and one from the team’s best ball. GHIN handicaps are required at registration, but players without one will compete as a 0 handicap. The Turkey Ball is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and is open to golfers of all skill levels! (Grass Clippings)

• The Butterfield Bermuda Championship kicks off this week, showcasing Bermuda’s stunning Port Royal Golf Course. Don’t miss the iconic 16th hole—a 235-yard par 3 that tests even the pros. With the Atlantic Ocean dangerously left and a fierce right-to-left wind, it’s arguably the world’s most brutal par 3. (PGA Tour)

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