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 victory on the PGA Tour Champions this year, propelling him into the top 10 at the start of the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs. A total of 54 players 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 Country Club of Virginia, made birdies on holes 15 and 16. However, a bogey on the 17th allowed Leonard to take the lead. Leonard, after a birdie on the 16th, hit a 4-iron hybrid that left the ball about 20 feet from the hole, and holed a downhill eagle putt, setting a score of 12 under par (204 strokes).
Els failed to sink a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole, which would have forced a playoff. Els finished with 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 two strokes off the lead until a bogey after a long putt frustrated his aspirations. With a round of 72 strokes, he finished three strokes behind the leader in his attempt to get his first victory of the year in the Champions.
Scott Parel, with a round of 71 strokes, tied for 21st place, climbing three positions to number 53 and securing his spot in next week’s Simmons Bank Championship. David Bransdon, for his part, was left out.
The top 36 players after next week’s event will advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, which will mark the end of the season.
