Padraig Harrington Fuglede his last hole on Friday for a five under 65, giving him a one-shot lead in the Senior British Open as he goes after his second senior big title of the year.
The defending champion Kj Choi had the lead late in the second round on the old course at Sunningdale until he took Bogeys at 16 and 17. Choi had to settle for a 67 and was a shot back with Thomas Bjorn, who had a 63.
Harrington is trying to become the fifth player to win the British Open and Senior British Open.
“Where I was going to make a score, I scored, and then I had trouble with lots of other holes,” Harrington said. “Hit some recovery photos and managed my game, but I never showed a lot of confidence out there at all in my turn. I obviously like these 72 holes and the bigger golf courses fit me.”
The Senior British Open is the fifth major on the PGA Tour Champions. The regular tournaments are 54 holes. Harrington won the US Senior Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado.
Bjorn was an angry Dane on Friday and it worked in his favor. He was furious at ruining a good start in the opening round with three bogeys in the last four holes. He channeled this frustration in four birdies in five holes at first.
He made Eagle on the 320-yard 11th and after dropping shots at the 16th and 17th holes, he ended with a birdie.
“I just got out of the way I know I was playing well yesterday and I hit the ball well. I knew I was playing well, but I was just angry,” Bjorn said.
“Wanted to get started and hit a good shot at 2, which is not like a given birdie, and then I hit some good shots from there.
“The first 12 holes were just an absolute joy.”
Among these two shots behind were Ernie Els and Justin Leonard, who got the clip in the British Open last week at Royal Portrush.
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