Jerry Kelly wins the 2019 AmFam Champ!

Jerry Kelly is the 2019 winner of the PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship, outlasting fellow Madison resident and tournament host Steve Stricker and Retief Goosen in a sudden death playoff Sunday.

Kelly birdied the third playoff hole, No. 15 on the University Ridge Golf Course, to beat Goosen’s par. Stricker was eliminated when he bogeyed the first playoff hole, No. 18.

It was a dramatic finish – and the first playoff in the event’s four-year history – for a championship that set an all-event attendance record of 70,000. The championship also set a single-day attendance record of 40,000, when fans on Saturday enjoyed the competition and the AmFam Champ Celebrity Foursome, hosted by Andy North.

Kelly thanked his family, Steve Stricker and other friends, and the community in an emotional trophy presentation.

“It makes me feel great to do this in front of my hometown fans and family,” he said. “No. 1, my wife Carol over there hiding behind everybody. It feels like -- I think it's been almost a year and a half since I've won. I mean, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that one right there. She makes me the man I am and I owe everything to you.

“Mom, you made it around the whole way today and that was awesome. Dad was up there, he was looking down. The sun came out right as I made (the winning putt). Yep, I know he was here.”

“It was a great week,” Stricker said. “We take a lot of pride and satisfaction from this week knowing that we're going to raise a lot of money to give back to the (American Family Children’s Hospital) and all the other charities that we support, so that puts a smile on my face.”

• Final-round leaderboard
• Final-round notes from PGA TOUR Champions

Looking forward to 2020

The 2020 American Family Insurance Championship will be held June 5-7 at University Ridge Golf Course, with pre-tournament activities beginning Friday, May 29.

“A huge thank you to the PGA TOUR Champions, the players, sponsors, volunteers and fans,” said Nate Pokrass, tournament director. “All of you have embraced this community celebration beyond our dreams, making it possible for us to raise millions for charity. We are grateful, and look forward to next year.”

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