Harrington Takes Lead! Senior Open Thrills at Sunningdale!

Padraig Harrington delivered a stellar performance at Sunningdale's Old Course, carding a bogey-free 65 to seize a one-stroke lead at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open. Harrington's impressive round puts him in a prime position to capture his second senior major title of the year.

Defending champion K.J. Choi, who held the lead late into the second round, stumbled with bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes, ultimately finishing with a 67. He now sits just one shot behind Harrington, tied with Thomas Bjørn, who fired an impressive 63.

Harrington is now aiming to become only the fifth golfer in history to win both The Open Championship and the ISPS HANDA Senior Open. He reflected on his round, stating, "Where I should make a score I scored, and then I got in trouble on plenty of other holes. Hit some recovery shots and managed my game, but I never showed much confidence out there at all in my swing at all. I obviously like these 72-hole ones, and the bigger golf courses suit me.”

The ISPS HANDA Senior Open marks the fifth major on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit. Harrington previously secured victory at the U.S. Senior Open Championship at The Broadmoor in Colorado.

Bjørn, fueled by frustration from his opening round, channeled his anger into an impressive performance. After a rocky finish to his first round, he started strong with four birdies in five holes and an eagle on the 11th. Despite late bogeys, he finished with a birdie. "Just got out here in that mode of I know I played well yesterday and I was hitting the ball well. I knew I was playing well, but I was just angry," Bjørn explained. "Wanted to get off to a start and hit a great shot on 2... The first 12 holes was just an absolute joy.”

Ernie Els and Justin Leonard are among those two shots behind, adding further excitement to the weekend competition. Both players recently made the cut at The Open last week at Royal Portrush. The stage is set for a thrilling weekend of golf at Sunningdale.

Key Moments from Round 2

• Padraig Harrington's bogey-free 65.
• K.J. Choi's late bogeys that cost him the lead.
• Thomas Bjørn's impressive 63.

What's Next?

The final rounds promise intense competition as Harrington looks to maintain his lead, while Choi, Bjørn, Els, and Leonard aim to close the gap and contend for the championship.