Justin Leonard Wins the Dominion Energy Charity Classic
In a Sunday marked by wind, Justin Leonard demonstrated patience and precision on the green, which earned him a victory at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. With a spectacular finish, Leonard achieved a birdie, par and eagle to finish with a round of 68 strokes, four under par. This secured him a one-stroke victory over Ernie Els.
This triumph represents Leonard’s second victory on the PGA Tour Champions this year, propelling him into the top 10 in the standings after the first playoff event of the Charles Schwab Cup.
The tournament was key to defining the players who will advance to the next phase. The best 54 golfers qualify for 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 round at the Country Club of Virginia, made birdies on holes 15 and 16. However, a bogey on the 17th hole allowed Leonard to take the lead. Leonard, after a birdie on the 16th, connected with an impressive shot with a 4-iron hybrid that left the ball about 20 feet from the hole. Then, he holed a putt for eagle, which brought him to a total of 12 under par (204 strokes).
Els couldn’t make a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole, which would have allowed him to tie and force 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, at 68 years old and with a streak of annual victories on the PGA Tour Champions since turning 50, was only two strokes off the lead. A long three-putt on the final hole cut short his aspirations, finishing with a round of 72 and finishing three strokes behind the leader.
Scott Parel, with a round of 71, tied for 21st place and moved up three positions to number 53, securing his place in next week’s Simmons Bank Championship. On the other hand, David Bransdon failed to qualify.
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.
