Could the Champions Tour icons like Bernhard Langer and Miguel Angel Jimenez be getting some competition from unlikely sources? It appears a new breed of golfer is starting to make some noise, and should be factored into this week’s Shaw Charity Classic.
Last week’s winner, Scott Parel isn’t a household name, and didn’t have any success on the PGA Tour. Ken Tanigawa, who played on the Australian and Asian tours finished third at the Boeing Classic on Sunday, and is getting more accustomed to playing with golfers he admired.
This week at the Shaw Charity Classic in Alberta, Canada, Parel is 16/1 to win back-to-back events. Tanigawa, who had a share of the lead last week going into the final round, is at 50/1.
Worth a Bet?
The two relatively unknown golfers could be at a point in their careers where victories could come more easily. Parel, 53, has had eight top-10 finishes this year before his victory at the Boeing Classic. He said that he thought being victorious was a possibility.
“It’s so new,” Parel said. “I’ve been playing so well I’ve been thinking I was able to win. I was hoping I could put it together. Like I [said] after Friday, it’s like a dream out here. I pinch myself when I’m out here, and to actually win is a blessing.”
Tanigawa’s third-place finish was his best of the year, but the rookie said he has been adjusting to the Champions Tour.
“I’m just trying to get used to being out here, living this lifestyle and traveling and competing, playing serious, focused golf,” Tanigawa said. “Playing as an amateur is all kicks and giggles. This is a lot more focused. I’m learning the courses, and I’m playing a lot of golf, a lot of serious golf, compared to being an amateur. It’s all between the ears.”
Another rookie who is learning that is major championship winner, Darren Clarke. The Irishman finished tied for 24th at the Boeing Classic, his Champions Tour debut.
“The rookies like myself are at a little bit of a disadvantage because the guys that have played out here before know how to get around where for me today it was the first time out,” Clarke said last week.
Old Guard Standing Strong
With the emergence of some of the rookies, that doesn’t mean players like Bernhard Langer are ready to pass the torch just yet. Langer said he feels strong and can still compete.
“I’m 61 now, so it’s not getting any easier,” Langer said. “Younger guys are coming out and they hit it further than I do, but I’ve had chances. I’ve won one this year, and I could have won three or four, so there is still hope, and we’ll find out what the future holds.”
This is an event he has never won, but is the favorite at 7/1 with Jimenez. He is the No. 2 winner of Champions Tour titles at 37, eight back from all-time leader, Hale Irwin.
“It means a great deal. It means that I’ve had an amazing Champions Tour career, which is true,” Langer said on Wednesday. “Winning 37 events in 11 years, that’s not easily done with the caliber of players out here.”
