R&A : ISPS HANDA Senior British Open : Leaderboard Tee Times
Pádraig Harrington capped a bogey-free second round of 65 with a closing birdie to snatch a one-shot lead at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
The Irishman made five birdies in a flawless performance over the Old Course at Sunningdale to hit the front at -8, with defending champion KJ Choi and Thomas Bjørn just behind him -7.
Choi, who is bidding to become the first player to win back-to-back Senior Open titles in 25 years, had appeared set to lead the way at the halfway stage when he reached -9 through 14 holes but he made back-to-back bogeys at the 16th and 17th.
On a day of largely glorious sunshine, Bjørn – a fellow former Ryder Cup Captain – had earlier set the clubhouse target with a brilliant 63 that featured an eagle and seven birdies.
Justin Leonard surged into contention with a 65 to sit alongside Ernie Els, Ricardo Gonzalez and Cameron Percy in a tie for fourth at -6.
Harrington, who began the day four shots adrift of the overnight lead, opened with a birdie before a further gain at the ninth saw him hit the turn in 33.
He birdied the 11th to reach -6, and then quickly overcame the disappointment of a three-putt at the par five 14th to birdie the long par-three 15th, before adding a final flourish on the 18th green.
"I rode my luck a lot today," said Harrington, who is bidding to emulate Bob Charles, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke as just the fifth player win both the Open Championship and Senior Open.
"Got my head in the game. Did a lot of good stuff mentally. Short game was sharp."
For much of the afternoon, Choi, who won at Carnoustie 12 months ago, appeared in complete control as he made three birdies over his opening six holes.
However, an errant tee shot in a fairway bunker resulted in a dropped shot at the 16th and he three-putted the 17th to drop back to -7 before he showed a touch of class to get up and down from a greenside bunker at the last to save par.
edit>>>>> Canada's Stephen Ames made the +2 cut, 69 72 +1 while CPGA playing professional Gordon Burns MC 70 74.
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Bryan Angus (edit)
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