ST. LOUIS — That's it.
After months of preparation at Norwood Country Club, we finally have an Ascension Charity Classic winner.
It's Y.E. Yang.
The Korean player had some time to talk to 5 On Your Side's Annie Krall only moments after winning the trophy. However, it would take 55 holes, rather than 54 to claim the victory.
The 2009 PGA Championship and 2009 Honda Classic winner, Yang had to go head-to-head in a one-hole playoff against two-time Masters winner Bernhard Langer.
The German would force a playoff on 18 with a cinematic dropped putt, tying Yang at 13-under for 200 through 54 holes.
Yet, it was Yang's 14-footer for birdie in the playoff hole that would make all the difference. Langer came in with a two-putt on the 18th hole playoff, costing him a $2 million purse and a $315,000 winner's share.
Yang etched his name on the fourth annual Ascension trophy.
When asked shortly after winning the playoff, Yang said his opponent was "so strong."
"[Bernhard is] so calm, and then he played well and very difficult to play today," Yang said.
Meanwhile, it's arguably the biggest St. Louis golf tournament of the year from a monetary perspective for the St. Louis area. The tour says on average a PGA Tour Champions event like this for pros 50+ averages an area economic impact around $10 million during the course of a weekend.
"This has been great for St. Louis," Ascension Charity Classic director of business development and community engagement, Alonzo Byrd, said. "If you think about it, this is being shown on Golf Channel which is national and international. So for St. Louis, every time they come into and out of a commercial there is some type of what they call 'bumper' that says, 'coming to you live from the beautiful St. Louis area.'"
Since 2020, more than $2.6 million has already been raised for charities in north County like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and the Urban League.
It's extra special for North County native, former Norwood Country Club caddy and now Missouri Sports Hall of Famer Jay Delsing.
"I couldn't check more personal boxes," Delsing told 5 On Your Side. "To have this tournament, to raise money for the community I grew up in, on the course I grew up at. Then playing, I grew up with all of these guys."
Delsing said seeing the crowds at Norwood emphasizes the hunger of St. Louis fans to follow some of their sports favorites, including PGA legends like John Daly, 5-time PGA Tour winner.
Known for his colorful attire and even more colorful personality, Daly putted out the 18th hole Sunday with a wedge, because apparently he'd broken his putter by the end of the round after a pretty tough day.
Also in the field besides Yang who kept their cool was University of Illinois alum Steve Stricker.
Yet, Delsing told Krall he's not sure if he'll be teeing it up next year when the tournament kicks off on Sept. 1, 2025. Delsing came in 70th with 221, shooting 76-73-72.
Reflecting on his final round, "I missed a couple of short putts," Delsing said.
"I hit them well, they just didn't go in," Delsing said. "Tournament golf is a different animal. I don't play tournament golf. I play golf, but not tournament golf. It's just different, and it takes some getting reacclimated, too. It's hard to explain unless you've ever, played it tournament golf."
Ultimately Yang would be the one holding the Arch-inspired trophy high.
Yang has played in the Ascension Charity Classic three times. He's placed third. Then, he got second. Now Yang has won the whole thing.
Watching Yang's Sunday morning driving range routine, you can see his swing is smooth like butter. It's consistent, and it's easy.
That's partially why Yang was able to come up on a number of crucial these fairways onto the green and drop a lot of really important putts, especially on the 18th, both pre- and during the playoff.
"I'm happy to play this course because I think this course is very hilly," Yang said. "Something similar to what I play in Korea because in Korea many courses are hilly courses. Here, feeling very similar."
Putting himself in advantageous positions on the greens throughout Sunday, especially on 17 with one of the best approach shots of the tournament, Krall asked Yang about his putting, "did you want to be aggressive or were you aiming to be a little calmer? What was the plan of attack on the greens this week?"
On the first day, Yang said it was a "little soft." Though, by Saturday and Sunday things had firmed up. Which is why Yang said he was more confident to "try to be more close the pin, a little attack it."
The tournament will be back at Norwood next year with a new title sponsor. This weekend, St. Louis-based Stifel Financial Corp. signed a three-year agreement.