Retief Goosen claims victory at the 2025 Sanford International with a dominant performance at Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The 56-year-old South African golf legend secured his fourth PGA Tour Champions title, finishing at 13-under 197 with a final round 67.
Goosen defeated Bo Van Pelt by two strokes in an impressive display at the prestigious tournament. This marks his first victory since The Galleri Classic in March 2024, proving he’s still a force to be reckoned with on the senior tour.
The two-time U.S. Open champion (2001, 2004) showcased his championship experience throughout the weekend, building a commanding lead that he maintained through Sunday’s final round. Van Pelt finished second with a solid 68, while golf legends Ernie Els and Darren Clarke tied for third at 8-under.
Notably absent was three-time defending champion Steve Stricker, who was unable to defend his title due to recovering from back surgery. Stricker had won the tournament four times since its inception in 2018, including the previous three consecutive years.
Watch complete highlights, key shots, and post-tournament interviews from this exciting PGA Tour Champions event. The Sanford International continues to be one of the most competitive tournaments on the senior circuit, attracting golf’s biggest legends to South Dakota.
Don’t miss coverage of Goosen’s victory ceremony and exclusive interviews discussing his return to winning form on the PGA Tour Champions.
Age is supposedly just a number in professional sports. But when a 56-year-old golfer outplays an entire field of seasoned competitors, it makes you wonder if we’re witnessing something truly extraordinary or if the competition simply isn’t what it used to be. Retatif Gusen delivered a masterclass performance at the Sanford International this past Sunday, securing his fourth PGA Tour Champions victory with a commanding display that left little doubt about his enduring class. The South African legend carded a solid three under 67 in his final round at Minihaha Country Club in Sou Falls, South Dakota, creating a comfortable twoshot cushion between himself and runnerup Bo Vanpelt. But here’s where it gets interesting. Gusen’s total score of 13 under 197 wasn’t just a victory. It was a statement from a player who many thought might be past his prime. The former world number three, who captured major championship glory at both the 2001 and 2004 US Open tournaments, had been relatively quiet since his last triumph at the Gallery Classic back in March 2024. That’s over a year between victories, which in the fast-paced world of professional golf might as well be an eternity. Yet, Gusen’s performance in South Dakota proved that class, as they say, remains permanent while form can be temporary. Vanpelt, despite posting a respectable 68 in the final round, couldn’t match the South African’s consistency throughout the tournament. The two-stroke margin might seem comfortable on paper, but anyone who’s watched professional golf knows how quickly fortunes can change on the back nine of a Sunday round. And this is the part most people miss. The depth of talent still lurking in the field was genuinely impressive. Ernie Ell’s another South African major champion along with Northern Ireland’s Darren Clark both finished in a tie for third place at 8 under par. El’s struggled with a closing 73 while Clark’s final round 68 showcased the kind of golf that once made him a major champion. Meanwhile, Charles Schwab Cup leader Miguel Anel Himenez posted a 71 to finish at seven under, proving that even the tour’s current points leader couldn’t find an answer to Gusen’s steady excellence. But here’s where it gets controversial. Was this victory more about Gusen’s brilliance, or was it influenced by a significant absence? Steve Stricker, the defending champion who had absolutely dominated this tournament in recent years, was nowhere to be found due to ongoing recovery from back surgery. The American legend had claimed victory in South Dakota for three consecutive years and boasted an incredible four wins at this venue since the tournament’s inception in 2018. Stricker’s absence raises fascinating questions about the competitive landscape of senior professional golf. Would Gusen have prevailed if the defending champion had been healthy and in the field? The Wisconsin native hopes to return to PGA Tour champions action in December, setting up potential future showdowns that golf fans are already anticipating. This tournament result also highlights a broader debate within professional golf. Are we witnessing a golden age of senior golf where experience and course management trump raw power and athleticism? Or are these victories simply the result of a less competitive field compared to the regular PGA tour? Gusen’s triumph certainly adds another compelling chapter to his already impressive legacy, but it also opens up numerous questions about longevity, competition, and what it truly takes to succeed at the highest levels of professional golf well into one’s 50s. What’s your take? Is Gusen’s victory a testament to enduring skill and smart golf, or does the absence of key competitors like Stricker diminish the significance of this win? Should age and experience be valued more highly in professional golf? Or do you believe the younger generation of senior tour players will eventually take over? Share your thoughts and let’s debate whether experience really does beat youth in the world of championship golf.
