Town and Country, Mo. – It was a little ironic that a man who couldn't walk three months ago won Sunday's 36-hole test of endurance at the 25^th U.S. Senior Open.

Peter Jacobsen, on crutches six weeks after undergoing hip surgery in late April, parred the 18^th hole at Bellerive Country Club to win the championship at 12-under-par 272. In doing so, he became the second-youngest champion behind Dale Douglass and seventh first-time winner in his first Senior Open.

Jacobsen, with a final round 3-under 68, seized the moment when third-round leader Tom Kite double bogeyed the finishing hole to plummet into a tie for third with Jay Haas at 10-under 274.

Two-time Senior Open champion Hale Irwin, with local ties, made a late charge to close out the championship at 11-under 273.

"It feels unbelievable," said Jacobsen, who pocketed the $470,000 first-place prize. "I've played in USGA championships since I was 15 years old. Junior Amateurs, Amateurs, U.S. Opens, and my first Senior Open. I'm speechless practically