Roberts catches fire to win Ace Group Classic
NAPLES, FLORIDA (TICKER) —Loren Roberts showed his poise down the stretch.
Roberts birdied three of his final four holes Sunday to win the $1.7 million Ace Group Classic.
The Champions Tour veteran avoided a playoff with Gene Jones by sinking a birdie putt at the par-5 18th hole. He had bogeyed the same hole a day earlier.
The 53-year-old Roberts, just one shot back at the start of the final, carded a 4-under-par 68 to finish off a 7-under 209 and collect the $255,000 first prize.
It was the ninth career victory on the elder circuit for Roberts, who also owns eight titles on the PGA Tour.
Roberts had been 1-under through 14 holes before consecutive birdies at Nos. 15 and 16. But his final birdie was his biggest.
The 51-year-old Jones, who was bidding for his first career Champions Tour triumph, signed for a 70 to finish at 6-under.
Playing in his 24th Champions Tour event, Jones’ previous best finish also was a second-place showing at the Charles Schwab Championship to end last season.
Ben Crenshaw (68), Bernhard Langer (69), Don Pooley (70) and James Mason (70) tied for third at 5-under.
