LAST UPDATE | 28 Jul 2023
PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON SAVED his best for last with a closing eagle on the 18th hole as he climbed the leaderboard at The Senior Open.
The Dubliner was looking to fight his way back into contention after a disappointing opening round of four-over par 75 at Royal Porthcawl on Thursday.
And he immediately set about putting that right with a blistering start to his second round, making five birdies in his first eight holes before his momentum stalled with a double-bogey at nine.
Much of Harrington’s good work looked set to be undone in the final holes when he went double bogey-bogey on 16 and 17.
But he saved the day with a nerveless eagle putt on the 504-yard par-five 18th, signing for a round of three-under par 68.
Harrington moves to one-over par for the tournament and is tied for 16th, five shots behind 36-hole leader Steven Alker of New Zealand on four-under.
Darren Clarke is on three-over after shooting a second round 74, which included four bogeys and a birdie on the par-four 17th.
Meanwhile, Leona Maguire has slipped back to one-over after a mixed second round at the Evian Championship in France, which is the penultimate Ladies Major of the season.
Maguire carded a two-over 73 to leave her in a tie for 28th, with Celine Boutier of France sitting at the top of the leaderboard on seven-under.
The Cavan native, who opened with a 70, picked up two birdies in the first four holes but she suffered her first setback with a bogey on the fifth hole. Another bogey followed on the 11th and a double-bogey on the 16th. There was some respite with a birdie on the 15th but she finished with a third bogey of the round on the 18th to leave her on one-over overall.
Stephanie Meadow sits two shots further back on three-over after shooting a disappointing 76. Meadow – who shot 69 on her first round – hit four bogeys across the first five holes before registering one double-bogey and two birdies on the back nine.
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