R&A : ISPS HANDA Senior Open : Leaderboard Tee Times
Pádraig Harrington will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open as he goes in search of his second senior major title of the year.
The Irishman, who won the U.S. Senior Open for the second time last month, birdied the 18th on the Old Course at Sunningdale for the second day in a row to card a second successive 65 and reach -13.
American Justin Leonard emerged from a congested leaderboard to card a 65 of his own to be his nearest challenger at -11
Both Harrington and Leonard are bidding to emulate Bob Charles, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke as just the fifth player to win The Open Championship and the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
Thomas Bjørn is solo third at -10 after a 67, with Steven Alker, Greg Chalmers and American duo Clark Dennis and Kevin Sutherland two shots further adrift -8.
Dennis is hoping for a double success story for his family after surging into contention at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
The American, a six-time winner on the Legends Tour, mixed seven birdies with a lone bogey for an impressive 64 that saw him climb to -8 and set the clubhouse target in the third round at Sunningdale.
Across the Atlantic, Dennis’ son, Will, is caddying for PGA TOUR professional Sam Stevens at this week’s 3M Open in Minneapolis, with Stevens in a T4 at the halfway stage.
“I think I'm going to be watching that tournament and see if they can maybe get a win this week at the 3M,” he said.
“He's caddied a lot for me. He's a very good caddie. He and Sam were childhoods friends.
“They have had a good run, top 40 in the FedEx Cup and shot nine under on the first day. They have a late tee time today, so I'm going to be watching closely.”
Twice a runner-up at the Senior Open, Harrington has spoken this week about not feeling in total control with his game, but he is focused on the challenge that awaits on Sunday.
“I don't feel very good about how I'm hitting the ball,” he said. “So trying to get away from that and not worry so much about that because clearly I'm scoring well.
“Better off shooting 13-under par and not feeling so good about it than thinking you're swinging it great and being level par.
“So, I just need to go out and play and try golf tomorrow. Hit the right shot at the right time and not necessarily try and play swing.”
Like Harrington, Leonard arrived at the fifth and final senior major of the year on the back of playing at last week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Having played all four rounds in Northern Ireland, confidence in his game was not in short order and he too will go into the final day on the back of a second consecutive 65.
“To be in contention is something I shoot for every week, and I think we all do,” said the 1997 Open champion.
“To do it in a major championship then is another thing, and then to do it at the Senior Open here at Sunningdale, it's been a special three days.”
Bjørn is bidding to win his first senior major title, having won for the first time on the PGA TOUR Champions last month alongside fellow former Ryder Cup Captain Clarke.
“A couple too many bogeys, really, I guess,” he reflected. “Six birdies is good enough. Today we played the golf course, at some stage tomorrow, we might have to play the man. That's the way it's got to be.
“I'm pretty happy. 67 around here is always a decent score, and you know, leaves me in with a chance tomorrow. But got to have a low one tomorrow.”
Defending champion KJ Choi fell out of contention with a 75 to leave him at -2 heading into the final round, Ernie Els T8 67 67 69 -7, while Canada's Stephen Ames T43 69 72 70 +1.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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