RICHMOND, Va. — Justin Leonard persevered through his putts on a windy Sunday and watched him reap big rewards by winning birdie-par-eagle and finishing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Ernie Els at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
Leonard won his second PGA Tour Champions this year and moved into the top 10 after the first Charles Schwab Cup playoff event.
The top 54 will advance to the second postseason event in Arkansas next week.
Els took control on the back nine of Virginia Country Club’s James River Course and appeared to be steady with birdies on the reachable par-4 15th and par-5 16th.
However, on the 17th hole, Leonard made a bogey. After birdieing the 16th, Leonard pulled his hybrid 4-iron to about 20 feet and held the downhill eagle putt to post at 12 under, 204.
Els couldn’t make a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have determined a playoff. He scored a 72 and shared second place with Thomas Bjorn (68).
Bernhard Langer, a 68-year-old German who has won the PGA Tour Champions every year since he turned 50, was within two shots of the lead before a long three-putt bogey ended his hopes. He fired 72 shots and finished with a back three, aiming for his first Champions League win of the year.
Scott Parrell shot a 71 to tie for 21st place, moving up three spots to 53rd and advancing to next week’s Simmons Bank Championship. David Brunsdon was eliminated.
The top 36 finishers from next week onwards will advance to the season finale, the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
