Chip Lutz has done it again.
The Berks County golf legend captured his third British Senior Amateur title in thrilling fashion Friday at England’s Formby Golf Club.
The LedgeRock Golf Club member birdied the first hole of a three-way sudden death playoff to earn one of the biggest prizes in senior amateur golf.
“My game was a bit wiggly today,” Lutz said. “But I had a good stretch in the middle and the putt at the last was just perfect. I’ll definitely be back to defend next year.”
Lutz, 61, drained a 25-foot birdie on the extra hole to defeat American Brady Exber, the 2014 champion, and Scotland’s Graham Bell. Lutz shot a final-round 75 for a 4-over total of 220 over 54 holes.
Each of Lutz’s last two major victories has had a special connection to his mother, Janet. Friday was Janet’s 90th birthday.
Last fall, when Lutz won the U.S. Senior Amateur at Hidden Creek Golf Club in New Jersey after losing in the semifinals three times, Janet saw him compete for the first time.
“That was some finish,” Lutz said of Friday’s round. “It’s a great way to celebrate Mom’s birthday. I’ll be calling her straight away.”
Lutz started the final day one shot behind Scotland’s John Fraser, who dropped out of contention after an early triple bogey.
The rest of the final round featured many lead changes.
Lutz, who won the British Senior Amateur in 2011 and 2012 and also has a pair of Canadian Senior Amateur titles, will have little time to savor his victory.
He’ll travel to Columbus, Ohio, for next week’s U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club.
Lutz’s U.S. Senior Amateur victory helped him earn exemptions to several big championships, including the U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Amateur.
He’ll play in the U.S. Amateur Aug. 15-21 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Mich.