RICHMOND, Va. – Justin Leonard showed patience and precision on the green this Sunday, earning him a crucial victory at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
Leonard finished with an impressive birdie-par-eagle sequence, signing a card of 68 strokes (-4) and securing the triumph by one stroke over Ernie Els.
This is Leonard’s second victory on the PGA Tour Champions this year, which propels him into the top 10 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, after the first playoff event.
The tournament was played on the demanding James River course at the Country Club of Virginia, where Els seemed to be in control in the second half of the round, with birdies on holes 15 and 16.
However, a bogey on the 17th hole opened the door for Leonard, who responded with a birdie on the 16th and a spectacular eagle on the 18th, after sinking a 20-foot putt.
Els couldn’t match the result on the final hole, missing a 10-foot birdie putt, which would have forced a playoff. Els finished with 72 strokes and shared second place with Thomas Bjorn (68).
Bernhard Langer, who has won at least one tournament every year on the PGA Tour Champions since turning 50, was two strokes off the lead, but a bogey on the 18th hole prevented him from winning. He finished with 72 strokes.
Scott Parel finished in 21st place, and moved up three positions in the ranking for next week’s Simmons Bank Championship.
The top 36 players after next week’s tournament will advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, which will mark the end of the season.
