R&A: The Senior Open sponsored by ISPS.. Leaderboard Results
Jerry Kelly held his nerve brilliantly down the stretch at The Gleneagles Hotel to claim a two-shot win at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
The American entered the final day on the King's Course in a share of the lead with Australia's Cameron Percy but got off to a blistering start and was soon three ahead, a lead he maintained at the turn.
Countryman Matt Gogel was not going to let him have it all his own way, however, and he signed for a bogey-free 63 to set the target at -8, one back with Kelly playing the back nine.
The leader failed to take advantage of the driveable 14th and kept leaving himself a long way from the hole but his lag putting was magnificent and he kept his nose in front, despite struggling to execute a full swing after hurting his back on the sixth.
As the final group stood on the 18th tee in pouring rain and Gogel watched on in the clubhouse, the tension was palpable, but Kelly hit a brilliant drive down the par five and despite finding sand with his second, got up and down brilliantly for a closing birdie, a 68, a -10 total and a third Senior Major title.
Percy, Gogel and South Africa's Darren Fichardt finished at -8, two shots clear of local hero Stephen Gallacher, who carded the lowest round of the week with a 62 -6 total
Kelly was a three-time winner on the PGA TOUR and Presidents Cup player in 2003 before entering the senior game, where he has 14 wins on the PGA TOUR Champions, including two Senior Players Championships.
And he can now add the Senior Open trophy to his collection after it was presented to him by former UK Prime Minister Lord Cameron.
"It's indescribable to win it," said an emotional Kelly, who dedicated the victory to his niece's late husband.
But it's been this Scotland army out here that's been behind me that really brought me through, and I really appreciate the people for getting behind me and just lifting me up when things were going low, saying you've got this and really pulling me through. I really appreciate Scotland itself.
"I learned a lot about myself today, and I wish I would have learned it about 20, 30 years ago. You're never too old to learn, and that's what really pulled me through.
Kelly put on a dogged display down the back nine and his closing birdie was followed by big celebrations on the 18th green.
Percy three-putted the sixth and could not get up and down at the 11th but he made three birdies on the back nine to card a level par 70.
Fichardt recovered from a bogey on the first with gains at the fifth, ninth, 14th and 15th and a closing birdie after a brilliant bunker shot in his 66.
Gallacher started the day ten shots back but was threatening an incredible comeback when he turned in 29 and birdied the tenth and 11th. A bogey on the 12th stalled his momentum, however, and while he added two more birdies, he had left himself with too much work to do.
American Taggart Ridings finished at -5, one ahead of 2024 Senior Open winner KJ Choi, two-time Major Champion Zach Johnson, former Ryder Cup player Boo Weekley and Italy's Emanuele Canonica all -4
"The senior Claret Jug is the trophy that I've wanted as an over-50 golfer more than any other. To do it in Scotland at the home of golf and to actually win and get into the Home of Golf at St Andrews, I mean, I'm absolutely speechless.
"To be on this trophy, to be a part of this trophy, to be a part of the R&A, I just love it over here, I really do. It brings it full circle that I didn't do what I wanted to in The Open Championship but to get it done here, I mean, I'm over the moon.
• His 14th PGA TOUR Champions victory on his 207th start
• His first Senior Major Championship, as recognised by the Staysure Legends Tour
• Has won the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship twice, which is recognised as a PGA Tour Champions Major Championship
• The tenth American winner of the Senior Open (joining Tom Wargo, Tom Watson, Pete Oakley, Loren Roberts, Bruce Vaughan, Russ Cochran, Fred Couples Mark Wiebe and Marco Dawson)
• The first American winner of the Senior Open in a decade, since Marco Dawson won at Sunningdale in 2015
• Wins in his ninth appearance at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open. His best previous finish was sixth in 2021 at Sunningdale
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Bryan Angus (edit)
