Pádraig Harrington etched his name in golf’s history books by becoming only the fifth player to win both The Open and the ISPS HANDA Senior Open, claiming his second Senior Major Championship of the season at Sunningdale.
The 53-year-old Irishman, who secured his second U.S. Senior Open title just last month, produced a masterful final round to finish three strokes ahead of former Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn and 1997 Champion Golfer of the Year Justin Leonard. The victory marks Harrington’s third Senior Major title, joining legends Bob Charles, Darren Clarke, Gary Player, and Tom Watson as the only men to have lifted both the Claret Jug and the Senior Open Trophy.
Starting the day with a two-shot lead, Harrington immediately set the tone with an eagle at the first hole. Birdies on the sixth and ninth stretched his advantage to four at the turn. Although Bjørn briefly cut the lead to two with a run of four birdies in six holes, his challenge faltered after a bogey at the 16th. Harrington, despite a dropped shot on 17, held a three-shot cushion heading to the final hole.
A composed approach to the 18th green and two steady putts for par sealed a three-under-par 67, giving Harrington a 16-under-par total and his 11th win since joining the senior ranks. Leonard signed off with a 68 for a 13-under total, while Australian Scott Hend finished fourth on 12-under, and Ernie Els alongside Cameron Percy shared fifth place at 11-under.
The tournament also had a charitable impact as ISPS HANDA, in partnership with The R&A, pledged $2,000 for every birdie made on the 13th hole during the final round to support initiatives in Cambodia. Across four days, 49 birdies were recorded, raising $50,000 for the cause.
Reflecting on his triumph, Harrington said:
“I’m just thrilled to have won the tournament and to have played well when it mattered. Winning both The Open and the Senior Open puts you in a special category, and it’s a great feeling to know that my name is now on both trophies alongside so many legends of the game.”
He added, “At this stage in my career, you think about legacy. Winning on a storied course like Sunningdale and achieving something that adds to your career’s significance is deeply satisfying. There’s only a small window to get it done, and I’m glad I’ve managed to take this opportunity.”
About the ISPS HANDA Senior Open
The ISPS HANDA Senior Open will take place at Sunningdale for the fourth time as the iconic Berkshire venue hosts Europe’s only Senior Major Championship from July 24-27, 2025.
Sunningdale previously hosted the Championship in 2009, 2015 and 2021, with Loren Roberts, Marco Dawson and Stephen Dodd winning the Senior Open trophy on those occasions.
The 2024 Senior Open saw K.J. Choi make history as the first South Korean to win a men’s Senior Major Championship, finishing two strokes ahead of Australia’s Richard Green.
Bernhard Langer became the first golfer in history to win The Senior Open four times with his victory in 2019 at Royal Lytham & St Annes – moving ahead of Gary Player and Tom Watson with whom he previously shared three wins. The German also broke his own record of Senior Major Championship victories – securing his 11th at Royal Lytham & St Annes and since adding a 12th at the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.
The Senior Open was introduced in 1987 at Turnberry in Ayrshire when Neil Coles, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the European Tour group, won the inaugural title. This led, two years later, to the formal inception of what is now the Legends Tour. It has since been held at some of the United Kingdom’s most historic and renowned venues, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal County Down, Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale, Royal Portrush and Royal Lytham & St Annes.
About ISPS HANDA
ISPS Handa was founded by Dr Haruhisa Handa in 2006 to further the transformative power of sport across the globe. ISPS HANDA funds and promotes sporting events in archery, bowling, boxing, football, golf, polo, rowing, rugby and swimming with an emphasis on blind and disabled golf. Dr Handa’s philanthropic work extends to communities around the world, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, providing opportunities and support to causes and communities.
‘‘We believe that sport has a unique ability to create hope, to break down educational and cultural barriers and to inspire people in a way that can unite communities around the world. ISPS HANDA’s support for golf stems from a firm belief in the power of sport.”
About the Legends Tour
Formerly known as the European Senior Tour and the Staysure Tour, the Legends Tour is the men’s professional golf tour for members aged 50 and older. Created in 1992, the Legends Tour’s active membership features many of the pioneering champions who played on the European Tour during the 1970s, 80s, 90s and beyond. Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam are among the winners of the John Jacobs Trophy, which is awarded to the golfer who finishes first on the Legends Tour Order of Merit.
In September 2020, Ryan Howsam, Staysure Group CEO, acquired a majority equity share in the Tour in a ground-breaking joint venture with the European Tour, a unique structure whereby an individual has the majority ownership in a professional tour. The Legends Tour provides unmatched playing experiences for amateur golfers at its Legends Experience, Championship Pro-Am and Celebrity Pro-Am events. These experiences provide golfers with unique opportunities to rub shoulders with and play alongside legends of the game at competitive events hosted at world-class golfing destinations.
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
