A bogey on the 18th hole forced Pádraig Harrington into a playoff with Steven Alker at the PGA Tour Champions’ Cologuard Classic and the Kiwi came up trumps on the first playoff hole.
After eagling two holes in a second-round 65, Harrington, the reigning Senior Open and U.S. Open champion took a share of the lead into the final round alongside Thongchai Jaidee, but it became apparent that it would be Alker who would be his main challenger after the Dubliner birdied three of his opening nine and Jaidee struggled and fell five back.
Alker, winner of the PGA Tour Champions Charles Schwab Cup rankings in 2022 and 2024, carded a 62 in round two to thrust himself into the mix and then produced a bogey-free, six-under 65 on Sunday to set the clubhouse target.
After the three birdies on his outward nine, Harrington dropped a shot on 10 but then picked up further birdies on 11 and 13, and he was tied with Alker when he stood on the 17th tee. A birdie on the par-3 looked to have set Harrington up for his first victory of the year, but, possibly with adrenalin racing through his veins, he sent his approach long at the last and failed to make the 10-footer for par.
So, it was back to the 18th tee for Harrington and Alker, and while Harrington did manage to find the putting surface this time, he was some 30 feet away and Alker piled on the pressure by sticking his approach to four feet. Harrington’s effort slid by, and Alker made no mistake, completing a successful defence of the title he won last year.
Zach Johnson and Tommy Gainey finished tied for third at -13, two strokes back, while 68-year-old Bernhard Langer beat his age twice with rounds of 65 and 67 but could only manage a closing 70 to join the group sharing sixth at -11.
Darren Clarke’s week promised more when he opened with a six-under 65, but the 72 on day two left him too much to do. He closed with a three-under 68 to finish tied for 21st.
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