Report provided by the AmFam Championship
MADISON — 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.
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.
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.’”
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.
