Roberts gifts Morgan Allianz Championship

Just as it looked as though Gil Morgan was going to blow another lead in the final round of a tournament, Loren Roberts gifted him the Allianz Championship.

A week after he stumbled in the final round at the Senior PGA Championship, Morgan was able to finish on top after a four-under-par 67.

Six birdies, including five on the back nine, and a pair of bogeys got Morgan to 16-under 197 and earned him his 24th Champions Tour title. Roberts, who led for most of the round, threw away his chance at the last two holes to sign for a 67 and finish at 15-under 198.

The last five times Morgan entered the final round with the lead he had failed to win and he looked well on his way to adding to that on Sunday. He carded three consecutive birdies starting on number 11 but still trailed by three shots after Roberts birdied 14.

Morgan cut into the lead with a birdie on 15 and the tournament was essentially won on 17 with a three-shot swing. Roberts hit his approach shot into the water and missed a five-foot bogey putt. Morgan seized the opportunity to grab the lead, draining a 34-footer for birdie.

On 18, Morgan missed from 12 feet for a birdie that would have clinched the win and had to watch as Roberts slid a potential tying birdie putt inches left.

The win was Morgan’s first since the 2004 SBC Classic. Japan’s Hajime Meshiai (68) finished third at 13-under 200 and Keith Fergus (68) finished fourth at 11-under 202.