SONOMA, Calif. -- The closest race in the history of the Charles Schwab Cup fittingly came down to the final putt of the 2006 season.

In an odd twist of fate, though, the putt was one that was missed -- not made -- by arguably the most dependable putter in the game.

Loren Roberts had come to the 18th green at Sonoma Golf Club on Sunday afternoon leading Jay Haas by a mere 16 points in the season-long race designed to determine the top player on the Champions Tour.

Roberts, who, like Haas had won four times this season, had only to two-putt from 56 feet to win the $1 million annuity. He knew exactly where things stood after asking his caddie on the tee whether he needed par or birdie to win the Cup.

Roberts’ first attempt broke right to left, as he expected, but slid 4 feet, 8 inches past the hole. The man they call the “Boss of the Moss” aimed for the left edge coming back, only this time the putt didn’t break, catching the lip and spinning right.

The three-putt moved Roberts from sole possession of fourth place in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship into a tie with Eduardo Romero. And with that came a 36-point turnaround that gave Haas the Charles Schwab Cup.

“(It’s) pretty amazing that it would come down -- after how many thousands of golf balls have been hit -- to one shot,” a stunned Haas said, shaking his head.

Haas was standing near the clubhouse talking with two reporters when he heard the groans from the crowd gathered around the 18th hole. In an instant, his disappointment turned to disbelief.

“He’s not supposed to three-putt the last hole,” Haas said softly when the outcome was clear. He later told the crowd at the awards ceremony that Roberts “should have at least one hand on this Cup.”

Roberts, who led the Champions Tour in putting this year, said he really never felt comfortable on the greens at Sonoma. He had trouble judging the speed, and the stats bore that out -- Roberts, who says “my game is the putter” ranked 22nd for the week.

“I putted very poorly and to be quite honest with you I just ran out of gas today,” Roberts said. “It’s been a long year and I’ve had a lot of other things outside of golf this year with the Ryder Cup and a lot of other things. I just ran out of gas.

Jay Haas edged Loren Roberts in the closest Charles Schwab Cup race in history. (Grayson/WireImage)

“But I’m happy for Jay because Jay played great all year. He deserves it. He needs to get the recognition because he’s been a great player for 30 years out here. I’m happy for him. I really am.”

Haas, who was disappointed with his 72 on Sunday, also won the Arnold Palmer Award that goes to the Champions Tour’s leading money winner, beating Roberts by $64,832. Roberts took the scoring title by .06 of a stroke.

“The thing was to win the whole deal,” said Roberts, who added he would be even more determined next year. “Today was for Player of the Year and the Charles Schwab Cup and everything else.”

Even after the awards ceremony, Haas was still trying to adjust to the quick turnaround of emotions. The 52-year-old had dedicated himself to the Champions Tour this year in hopes of winning the money title and Charles Schwab Cup.

With the dramatic turn of events Sunday, though, Haas had trouble separating the season-long accomplishment from the frustration of a final round that was not up to his standards. Not to mention, he and Roberts are good friends.

“I guess that has not sunk in,” Haas said. “To do that is a thrill for me, and to see that come to light here at the end of the year. Again, I think maybe as I look back on it as the weeks go by it will mean a lot more to me … just to have that in my pocket, so to speak.

“That I’ve lead the money list as least once in my life is a pretty neat thing.”

Haas and his wife Jan plan to donate the entire $1 million annuity to charities in the Greenville, S.C., area where they make their home. He is the third Cup winner to publicly announce such a gift, following in the footsteps of Allen Doyle and Tom Watson.

Roberts also indicated his $500,000 prize would go to charity. Dana Quigley did the same a year ago when he finished second in the Charles Schwab Cup.

Haas said he hasn’t decided on any specific charities, but he has become involved with a pediatric leukemia treatment center through a junior tournament at his home club, Thornblade Golf Club. The tournament’s slogan is “Kids Helping Kids.”

Haas and his wife have donated $25,000 to the facility over the last two years. “And they are just ecstatic with the donation, so a big chunk of this will go to that fund, and just to have it available,” he said.