Seniors are Choice of champions
KJ CHOI captured the first Major of his career after securing a two-stroke victory at The Senior Open Championship yesterday.
Padraig Harrington’s challenge faltered after a disastrous opening stretch where he hit a triple bogey and a double bogey on the first two holes.
The Dubliner finished second at the event in each of the past two years and did make a spirited rally to finish with a 72 yesterday.
“That’s what happens in this game,” Harrington said. “I knew I had to push today. I think even after that, the couple of eagle chances, I had three good eagle chances there. I could have slipped a few more putts in.
“But the good news for me is KJ has run away with it, which is a nice thing. I would hate to be finishing up today and six under par, seven under par was
winning; it was would have been a disappointing day.”
Choi, 54, finished with a two-under final round of 70 as he finished 10 under for the weekend at Carnoustie.
He rolled in a long putt for an eagle on the par-five 14th to highlight his day. He also had four birdies to offset four bogeys.
Choi entered the final round with a one-stroke lead over Australian Richard Green, who was bidding for his first Major on the Champions Tour.
Green shot a 71 to finish in second place at eight under. He shot even-par on the front nine before recording four birdies against three bogeys on the back nine.
Green ended up two strokes ahead of England’s Paul Broadhurst (70 yesterday).
Canadian Stephen Ames, the first-round leader, carded a 71 to reside in fourth place on three under.