Berkshire, England — Padraig Harrington birded the ultimate gap on Saturday, with Justin Leonard taking a two-shot lead with one other 5-under 65, and the Irishman entered the ultimate spherical of the Senior British Open, heading for the second senior main of the yr.
Harrington was amongst 4 gamers who had a minimum of a share of the lead at one level through the spherical of Sunningdale’s outdated course. He seized the lead with birdies on the thirteenth and 14th holes, and a closing birdies added to his slight lead.
Harrington was 197 beneath 13 beneath. He has been within the UK for the previous three weeks for Hyperlink Golf, which begins with the Scotland opening. He gained the US Senior Open in Colorado a month in the past.
Leonard, the one PGA Tour Champions participant to chop final week at Royal Portrush’s British Open, additionally scored his second straight 65.
Thomas Bjorn had 67 and was three photographs behind.
Harrington and Leonard handed the British Open Championship – in 1997, Leonard of Royal Troon, Harrington gained the primary victory of two Claret Jugs at Carnoucy (2007) and Royal Burkdale (2008) ten years later. Both may grow to be the fifth participant to win the British Open and Senior British Open, which Darren Clark final achieved in 2022.
Stephen Alker, the two-time winner of the Charles Schwab Cup, which opened at 73, tried to return to the sport. He shot 66, one in every of 4 gamers at 8 beneath 202, with 5 photographs behind.
The winner is the exemption from the 154th British Open, which will likely be held at Royal Burkdale subsequent yr.
