His Time to Shine

Scottsdale native and PGA Tour journeyman Michael Allen made his Champions Tour Debut in late May at the Senior PGA Championship, and he made sure to make it a memorable one.

After receiving a special exemption from the PGA of America, Allen justified the invite by winning the event, but not without drama. Allen rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt to beat the field and closest competitor Larry Mize by two strokes to end his 20-year victory drought. Allen joins Arnold Palmer as the only men in history to win the Alfred S. Bourne Trophy in their Champions Tour debut.

“It’s certainly an incredible honor,” Allen said while touching the trophy. “I’ve always held all these guys in such honor my whole career as a young guy growing up and I’m really kind of shy to even go talk to them. To be on that trophy is a phenomenal thing. It makes it worthwhile.”

Winless in 334 starts on the PGA Tour, he is now one for one on the Champions Tour. However, don’t expect him to stay put on the senior circuit. He said if he won the Senior PGA he would go back to PGA Tour in search of another first.

“I’m going to be the first guy ever to win his first senior tournament before he wins a PGA Tour event,” Allen said with a grin. “It sounds good, anyway.”

Allen turned 50 on January 31 of this year.