The 50-and-older circuit is known as a land of second chances, but it’s also a platform for some of the world’s lesser-known seniors to thrive. Idoki is 51 years of age. He’s a two-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, but he had competed in just one PGA TOUR-sanctioned event before this week (2012 Senior Open Championship). He started the finale at Bellerive Golf Club five strokes back of 54-hole leader Kenny Perry and posted 11-under 273. Perry stumbled on his inward nine with a double bogey at 13 and bogeys at 16 and 17. A long-range birdie at the last merely clinched co-runner-up honors with local native Jay Haas at 9-under 275. Perry closed with a 72. Idoki is now fully exempt on the Champions Tour. Today’s victory also earns him an exemption into the PGA Championship at Oak Hill this August.
