Darren Clarke and Ben Crane never let go Sunday at TPC Wisconsin, holding their lead in the final round to win the 2026 American Family Insurance Championship by one stroke.
Clarke, the defending champion, made it back-to-back titles with a new partner in Crane. The duo posted a 4-under-par 67 to finish at 30 under.
“To go back-to-back, you need special players to win any tournament if you’re going to be a team,” Clarke said. “I’ve been fortunate that I’ve had two of them in a row. When you’re playing as a team, you’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your partner, it’s different. There’s a different type of pressure there, there’s a different type of enjoyment there.”
“This week was a thrill,” Crane said. “I’m a rookie on the Champions tour. When Darren asked if I would play, I said, ‘Wow, what a thrill.’ During our practice round Tuesday, Darren said, ‘Hey, we have a chance. We’re here to win. We can win this if we play our game.’”
People are also reading…
Tougher playing conditions tightened things up on the final day, but Clarke came through with a key birdie on hole 16 and a crucial up-and-down on 18 to seal the win.
Kenny Perry and George McNeill surged up the board with a final-round 9-under 62, climbing eight spots to claim second.
Two teams finished in a tie for third at 28 under: Rory Sabbatini and Brian Gay, and Cameron Percy and Greg Chalmers.
Tournament host and 2023 champion Steve Stricker, playing with Mario Tiziani, carded a 7-under 64 and finished tied for 17th at 23 under. Madison native and two-time winner Jerry Kelly teamed with Justin Leonard and shot 6-under 65 to finish tied for 24th at 21 under.
Other final-round notes
- Clarke earned his sixth win on PGA TOUR Champions (160 starts), and his first win since the 2025 American Family Insurance Championship (with partner Thomas Bjørn). It was Clarke's first win of the 2026 season (10 starts).
- Clarke becomes the second two-time winner of the American Family Insurance Championship, joining Jerry Kelly (2019, 2021). Note: The American Family Insurance Championship was an individual event from 2016 to 2024.
- Ben Crane earned his first win on PGA TOUR Champions (eight starts). The rookie turned 50 years old on March 6. His previous best finish was second at the Senior PGA Championship.
About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA TOUR player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised nearly $22 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2026 championship will be held June 1-7 at TPC Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: www.amfamchampionship.com; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: @amfamchampionship; TikTok: @AmFamChampionship. #AmFamChamp
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on X (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (@pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
