Jerry Kelly holds on for 1st PGA Tour Champions win in 2 years

CARY, N.C. — Jerry Kelly closed with a 5-under 67 and received the SAS Championship on Sunday after Padraig Harrington narrowly missed an 8-foot par putt that will have compelled a playoff, giving Kelly his first PGA Tour Champions title in two years.

Kelly was bogey-free and had a two-shot lead on the again 9 at Prestonwood Nation Membership till he did not birdie the par-5 seventeenth after which three-putted from 40 toes on the 18th, sending his first putt some 10 toes by the outlet.

He completed at 13-under 203 and was getting ready for a playoff when Harrington, who began the ultimate spherical with a three-shot lead, hit an outstanding pitch to arrange birdie on the seventeenth.

They had been tied for the lead till Harrington went lengthy on the 18th from the green, chipped about 8 toes by and lipped out the par putt. Harrington shot 71.

Kelly received for the twelfth time on the 50-and-older circuit, and the primary time because the Shaw Charity Basic in August 2022. He had spent most of this 12 months coping with a wrist harm and rheumatoid arthritis.

“It has been a very long time coming,” Kelly mentioned. “You marvel for those who’re ever going to do it once more when the accidents begin piling up.”

The SAS Championship was the ultimate event earlier than the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs begin subsequent week for the highest 72 gamers.

Woody Austin, regardless of a 75 within the ultimate spherical, tied for seventeenth and moved up two spots to No. 71. Lee Janzen held down the 72nd spot. Ernie Els goes into the postseason because the No. 1 seed.