NAPLES, Florida – From the birdie on the first hole on the first day of his first Champions Tour career, 50-year old rookie George McNeill left little doubt he belonged. In fact, the Naples native made a statement by birdieing his first three holes in Round One enroute to a 2-under par, 70, at Tiburon Golf Club in the 39th edition of the Chubb Classic.
In a week to remember, which has taken a lifetime to prepare for, McNeill posted rounds of 70-69-68 total 207 to finish at 9-under and T-5. Looking poised and confident in windy conditions in the final round, he fired a 2-under 33 on the front, then going deep on the back nine for another 2-under. He pocketed his first Champions Tour check for $79,200 from the $1.8 million purse.
“This has been an incredible week,” said McNeill after signing for the 68, second lowest round of the day. “It’s taken alot of preparation to get to this level and so far it has paid off.”
During his PGA Tour career McNeill made 324 career starts and posted 21 top 10 finishes including two victories at the 2007 Fry.com Open and 2012 Puerto Rico Open. His career earnings top just over $12 million. McNeill turned 50 in October and to prepare for his second career on Champions Tour, he played in 13 PGA and Korn Ferry tournaments in 2025, his busiest ever.
This was a home game of sorts for McNeill, who resides in Fort Myers and is an honorary member at Fiddlesticks Country Club, where he frequently uses the practice range. He said it was special to have the opportunity to begin the next stage of his professional career so close to home. McNeill said he welcomed the challenge even though it comes with nervousness and excitement.
“Once I got inside the ropes, that’s my office, my area of expertise,” said McNeill. “I was able to block out all the outside noise and get back to playing tournament golf, which is what I do for a living. It’s been an awesome week. Everybody has been welcoming, especially the guys I haven’t seen in a long time.”
There were plenty of theatrics from the winner David Toms, who entered the final round with a three-shot lead over Michael Wright of Australia. He posted two double bogies on the front enroute to shooting a one-over 37, before scraping out a one-over par 73, 13-under total.
With the outcome coming down to the last hole, Toms birdied the par 5 eighteenth to win by one over defending champion Justin Leonard and Boo Weekly, who both finished at 12-under. To avoid the three-way playoff, Toms got up-and-down from the greenside bunker. In this victory, he admitted there was not much pure ball striking due to the wind which allowed for a nip and tuck battle from the field, with the lead changing constantly.
“The only reason I did not have to shoot 5- or 6-under today was because of the wind which made it tough for everybody,” said Toms at the trophy/check presentation held on the 18th green. “I just felt like if I made pars, every hole would be good, sprinkle in a birdie or two, and try to avoid a big number.”
The Champions Tour has been affectionately referred to as golf’s ultimate “mulligan” when the old guard bows out to make room for the newer generation of players. The class of eligible 50-years old include Tiger Woods, Zack Johnson, Ben Crane Rory Sabbatini, Ryan Palmer, Charley Hoffman, Jason Dufner, Geoff Ogilvy, Luke Donald, Matt Kuchar, Kevin Streelman, Lucan Glover and Trevor Immelman.
For Naples-native and newly minted Champions Tour player George McNeill and for 2026 Chubb Classic winner David Toms, the event exceeded their expectations!
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