COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Padraig Harrington’s hopes were hanging in the balance after a frustrating day at the Broadmoor, where he struggled with both the rough and the greens. However, a miraculous chip-in on the final hole provided the boost he needed, granting him a share of the lead and a prime position for the concluding round of the U.S. Senior Open. Standing on the verge of clinching the title for a second time in four years, Harrington’s birdie from 20 yards on the 18th hole left him tied with Stewart Cink and Mark Hensby. Each competitor shot a 2-under 68, finishing the day at 8-under 202, but it was Harrington’s dramatic finish that stood out.
“To hole out on the 18th with everyone watching was special,” Harrington remarked. “It was a thrilling moment and a relief not having to hit another shot.” Just one stroke behind was Thomas Bjorn, whose impressive 66 was among the day’s finest performances, hinting at a likely four-way battle for the crown. Other contenders included Steve Flesch at 4-under after a round of 67 and Steven Alker at 3-under, following a 66, alongside Miguel Angel Jimenez and Paul Stankowski.
Then there was Billy Andrade, battling both a troublesome back and the tough Broadmoor course. After a painful collapse following his shot on the 17th, Andrade still managed a par, a testament to the challenging nature of this course, especially under major tournament conditions. “The closing holes are especially demanding and test us greatly,” Bjorn stated, predicting even more challenging pin positions on the final day.
Hensby, who missed a six-foot birdie putt for the solo lead on 18, expressed frustration as his ball curved unexpectedly right. Despite this, Hensby can draw confidence from recording 19 birdies in the tournament so far, far surpassing Cink’s 13. Pointing out the difficulty of the greens, Justin Leonard compared them to those at Augusta National, and Hensby noted, “A 5-footer can break two feet, and you hope your aim is true despite the challenges.”
Cink’s play on the day exemplified the course’s difficulties, particularly when his birdie putt on the par-3 16th overshot by 30 feet due to the slope of Cheyenne Mountain. Despite the tough conditions that included changing weather and high altitude, Cink remained unfazed. “Some shots, like hitting an 8-iron for a 228-yard shot on the 12th hole, were unpredictable,” Cink acknowledged.
The day’s playful yet challenging nature left Cink, Hensby, and Harrington in a tight contest. Harrington, falling behind after struggles on the 12th and 15th, drew on his experience to complete the round on a high note. “I lost a bit of confidence on the greens,” Harrington admitted. His perseverance during pivotal moments, particularly on the 18th hole, ensured his position in Sunday’s final group alongside Cink, continuing their head-to-head rivalry.
While relishing the prospect, Harrington remained realistic. “I wanted to be in the last group, and I achieved that by making the birdie. But desires alone don’t deliver results; success isn’t that simple,” he reflected.