CONOVER, N.C. (AP) — Michael Allen won the Greater Hickory Classic on Sunday for his second Champions Tour title of the year and fifth overall, beating Olin Browne with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff.
Allen closed with a 5-under 65, also birdieing the par-5 18th in regulation to match Browne at 13-under 197 at Rock Barn. Browne shot a 64, charging to the lead with seven birdies over a nine-hole stretch.
In the playoff, Allen put his second shot within 10 feet, and Browne hooked his second shot badly into the rough off the green. Allen’s eagle putt just lipped out, and he tapped in for birdie. Browne missed a 40-foot putt for birdie and settled for par.
Second-round leader Bernhard Langer had a 69 to finish third at 11 under. He cut Kenny Perry’s lead in the Charles Schwab Cup standings to 394 points with two events remaining. Perry, who entered the tournament with a 609-point lead, tied for 20th at 4 under after a 69.
