Padraig Harrington leads Justin Leonard by 2 shots at Senior British Open
Harrington was among four players who had at least a share of the lead at some point during the round on the Old Course at Sunningdale. He seized the lead with birdies on the 13th and 14th hole, and a closing birdie added to his slight lead.
Harrington was at 13-under 197. He has been in the United Kingdom the last three weeks for links golf, starting with the Scottish Open. He won the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado a month ago.
Leonard, the only PGA Tour Champions player to make the cut last week in the British Open at Royal Portrush, also had a second straight 65.
Thomas Bjorn had a 67 and was three shots behind.
Harrington and Leonard are past British Open champions — Leonard at Royal Troon in 1997, Harrington winning the first of two claret jugs a decade later at Carnoustie (2007) and Royal Birkdale (2008). Either one can become the fifth player to win the British Open and Senior British Open, a feat last accomplished by Darren Clarke in 2022.
Steven Alker, a two-time Charles Schwab Cup winner who opened with a 73, tried to get back in the game. He shot 66 and was among four players at 8-under 202, five shots behind.
The winner is exempt for the 154th British Open next year at Royal Birkdale.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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