Padraig came out with all guns blazing to shoot a final round of five under par 67 to finish 4th alone but to no avail as Berhard Langer won the event by six shots and Steven Alker takes a firm grip on the Charles Schwab Cup as he finishes tied 6th. Padraig had six birdies in all, starting both nines with consecutive birdies and his only blemish came at the par three 15th hole, where he incurred a penalty shot. He now has one event left on the Senior Tour, starting next week, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, which he must win and Steven finish outside the top 5 for Padraig to be crowned champion!
Padraig had a nightmare start to his round and a fairytale ending on route to a five under par round of 67. The day revolved around the par fives as he opened with a “snowman” courtesy of two penalty shots as he butchered the first hole. To his credit, he rallied well to pick up three shots going out to turn in level par. He started the back nine with three pars before the magic appeared as he had five 3’s to finish his round. He eagled the par five 13th holing out from off the green and on the final hole, he holed out from the back bunker for his second eagle of the day. He lies in tied 9th place but trails the leader by six shots so will need a low round Sunday to get into contention.
Padraig opens his account at the TimberTech Championship with a level par round of 72. The leader is at five under par heading into the weekend. He got off to the perfect start with a birdie on the par five 1st hole but faltered after that with two dropped shots in the space of three holes. He then threaded water for twelve holes as made twelve pars but finally got a shot back at the par three 17th. With his main rival for the Order of Merit shooting a two under par round, Padraig will need a low round Saturday to turn this event around. He tees off at 10.28am local time with Darren Clarke and Marco Dawson!
Padraig plays in the second of the three playoff events this week at the TimberTech Championship. The course should suit him with risk-reward par fives in play and a yardage of over 7,100 yards and playing to a par of 72. He tees off with the two main contenders for the season long money race and knows he must win to keep the fight alive after Steve Alker won the opening event.
Tee Times – Friday at 11.56am with Steven Alker and Jerry Kelly.