Cochrane defeats Funk in Korea
BY Bruce Young | Champions Tour | 2010 Posco E&C Songdo Championship | Round Four | 12 Sep 2010
Left hander Russ Cochran today won his first Champions Tour event when he defeated Fred Funk to win the inaugural Songdo Championship in South Korea. It was the first ever Champions Tour event played in Asia and carried one of the richest purses in the history of regular Champions Tour events.
The US$455,000 Cochrane won as a result of his victory nearly doubles his previous biggest cheque in golf which came when finishing runner up in the Charles Schwab Cup in his rookie season on the Champions Tour in 2009. Cochrane was actually the 2009 Rookie of the Year.
Cochran won just one event during his lengthy career on the PGA Tour that coming in 1991 at the Western Open which, ironically, is being played this week.
The playoff pair finished one shot ahead of Tom Pernice Jr who is in his first season on the Champions Tour and was playing just his 7th Champions Tour event.
Peter Senior closed strongly to finish 18th after a horror start to his final round to lead the two Australians in the field. A double bogey at his third hole of the day threatened to ruin his chances a yet another solid week on the Champions Tour but he recovered well with three birdies on his back nine.
Senior should earn another US$35,000 or so and take his earnings in his rookie season to around US$665,000.
Graham Marsh finished well back in 48th position.
