Padraig Harrington close to his second senior major of the year at the Senior British Open
BERKSHIRE, England – Padraig Harrington shot a 65, five-under par, on Saturday, giving him a two-shot lead over Justin Leonard heading into the final round of the Senior British Open. The Irishman is seeking his second senior major of the year.
Harrington, who achieved birdies on the final hole, was one of the four players who led at some point during the round at Sunningdale’s Old Course. He secured the lead with birdies on holes 13 and 14, and a final birdie extended his advantage.
Harrington is at 13 under par, with a total of 197 strokes. The golfer has been in the UK for the last three weeks competing in links golf tournaments, starting with the Scottish Open. Previously, he won the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado a month ago.
Leonard, the only PGA Tour Champions player to make the cut last week at the British Open at Royal Portrush, also shot a 65 for the second consecutive day.
Thomas Bjorn, with a card of 67 strokes, is three strokes away.
Both Harrington and Leonard are former British Open champions. Leonard won it at Royal Troon in 1997, while Harrington took the first of his two claret jug titles a decade later, at Carnoustie (2007) and Royal Birkdale (2008). Either of them could become the fifth player to win the British Open and the Senior British Open, a feat last achieved by Darren Clarke in 2022.
Steven Alker, two-time winner of the Charles Schwab Cup, who started with 73 strokes, tried to make up ground. He achieved a 66 and is among the four players with 8 under par, with a total of 202 strokes, five strokes away.
The winner will get an exemption for the 154th British Open next year at Royal Birkdale.
