Justin Leonard Wins at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic
In a Sunday marked by wind, Justin Leonard demonstrated patience and precision in putting, which earned him a 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 title 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. A total of 54 golfers advance to the second postseason event, which will be held next week in Arkansas. Ernie Els, who seemed to be in control in the second half of the course at the James River of the Country Club of Virginia, made birdies on holes 15 and 16, but a bogey on 17 allowed Leonard to get closer. Leonard, after a birdie on 16, connected a 4-iron hybrid that left the ball about 20 feet away and holed the eagle putt to be at a total of 12 under par and 204 strokes. He failed to sink a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole, which would have forced a playoff. He finished with 72 strokes and shared second place with Thomas Bjorn (68).Bernhard Langer, the 68-year-old German golfer, who has won every year on the PGA Tour Champions since turning 50, was two strokes off the lead until a long three-putt bogey frustrated his aspirations. He finished with 72 strokes, three behind the leader in his attempt to get his first win of the year.
Scott Parel finished with 71 strokes and tied for 21st place, moving up three positions to number 53, which allows him to advance to next week’s Simmons Bank Championship. David Bransdon was left out. The top 36 after next week will qualify for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, which will end the season.
