Harrington leads by two at Senior Open, SA's Els six shots back

Padraig Harrington birdied the final hole on Saturday for another 5-under 65 for a two-shot lead over Justin Leonard going into the final .

Harrington was among four players who had at least a share of the lead at some point during the round on the Old Course at Sunningdale.

He seized the lead with birdies on the 13th and 14th hole, and a closing birdie added to his slight lead.

Harrington was at 13-under 197. He has been in the United Kingdom the last three weeks for links golf, starting with the Genesis Scottish Open.

He won the US Senior Open in Colorado a month ago.

Leonard, the only PGA TOUR Champions player to make the cut last week in The Open at Royal Portrush, also had a second straight 65.

Thomas Bjørn had a 67 and was three shots behind.

Harrington and Leonard are past The Open champions — Leonard at Royal Troon in 1997, Harrington winning the first of two claret jugs a decade later at Carnoustie (2007) and Royal Birkdale (2008).

Either one can become the fifth player to win the The Open and ISPS HANDA Senior Open, a feat last accomplished by Darren Clarke in 2022

Steven Alker, a two-time Charles Schwab Cup winner who opened with a 73, tried to get back in the game.

He shot 66 and was among four players at 8-under 202, five shots behind.

Ernie Els was tied for eight on 7-under 203, six shots adrift.

The South African is looking to secure the eighth win of his Champions Tour career, the second win of his 2025 season (Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai) and his second senior major (2024 Kaulig Companies Championship).

The winner is exempt for the 154th The Open next year at Royal Birkdale.

© AP (PGA TOUR CHAMPS)