Justin Leonard Wins at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic
In a day marked by wind, Justin Leonard demonstrated patience and precision in his putting, which earned him the victory at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. With a spectacular finish of birdie-par-eagle, Leonard signed a card of 68 strokes, four under par, securing the triumph by one stroke difference over Ernie Els.
This is Leonard’s second victory on the PGA Tour Champions this year, allowing him to move up in the rankings and position himself among the top ten after the first playoff event of the Charles Schwab Cup.
The tournament was played at the James River course of the Country Club of Virginia, where Els seemed to be in control in the second half of the round. However, Leonard starred in a key moment on the 16th hole, where he achieved an eagle that catapulted him to the top.
Els, for his part, couldn’t make a putt for birdie on the final hole, which would have given him the opportunity for a playoff. Els finished with a round of 72 strokes, sharing second place with Thomas Bjorn, who also turned in a card of 68.
Bernhard Langer, the 68-year-old German golfer, stayed near the top, but a bogey after a long putt frustrated his aspirations. Langer finished with 72 strokes and was three strokes behind the leader.
Scott Parel, with a round of 71, managed to tie for 21st place, moving up three positions in the ranking and securing his place in next week’s Simmons Bank Championship. David Bransdon, on the other hand, did not qualify.
The top 36 players after the next event will advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, which will mark the end of the season.
