Padraig comes up just short on an enthralling day as multiple players vied for the lead down the stretch at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. Padraig finished in a share for 3rd in the first play off event which would normally be a fantastic performance except Steve Alker won the event to stretch his lead in the Charles Schwab Cup. Padraig was out in two under par after making four birdies on the front side but also dropping two shots. He added another birdie on the par four 15th hole and was all tied for the lead playing the short par three 17th hole. Alker birdied the hole while Padraig dropped a shot after finding the heavy rough off the tee and failing to get up and down. He did birdie the last but to no avail! He now needs to realistically win one of the last two events!
Padraig adds a solid second round of five under par 67 to his opening effort but his nine under par total trails the leader by three and his Order of Merit rival, Steve Alker, by one shot. He was rock steady on moving day with five birdies recorded and no dropped shots. He only picked up two shots on the par 5’s so will be hoping to improve on that Sunday in the final round. It’s going to be a crucial day as it’s double points and all to play for!
Padraig starts his play off run with a solid four under par round but a disappointing penultimate hole cost him a possible share of the lead. He got off to a bright start with a birdie three on the par four 2nd hole but gave that back st the third hole, where he found the jungle off the tee. He hit back with two birdies on both par fives on the front nine to be out in 34 shots. He used his prestigious length to good effect as he birdied all four par 5’s on the day. Two early birdies on the back nine had him moving along nicely but a double bogie five on the par three 17th hole where he found the beach twice was an ugly eyesore sandwiched between two closing par fives. Seven under leads and Padraig plays with Bernhard Langer and Kevin Sutherland at 11.47am local time on Saturday!
After almost ten months and 24 regular events, the Senior Tour comes down to this, a three tournament play off to crown the king of the over 50’s. The first two tournaments are the regular 54 hole events while the last is a 72 hole affair. The Country Club of Virginia in Richmond hosts the first event this week, a par 72 layout that plays to just over 7,000 yards and is generally a birdie fest with the course record of 63 having been shot by seven different players, including six playing this week. With double points for the last three events, its anybodys title with Steve Alker leading the charge from Padraig heading into the playoffs.
Tee Times – Friday with Steve Alker and Jerry Kelly at 12.30pm local time!