LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Padraig Harrington closed with a 5-under 67 and held on for a two-shot victory Sunday at the Simmons Bank Championship, his third title this year on the PGA Tour Champions.
Harrington arrived early and most of his competitors disappeared in front of a large crowd at Pleasant Valley Country Club. Ye Yang made 10 birdies in his closing round of 65 and pulled within one shot when Harrington made his lone bogey on the 14th hole.
But the Irishman held firm with three straight pars, then hammered a drive down the 18th fairway that left him with a long iron on the green and two putts for the final birdie.
“It’s a great way to finish,” Harrington said. “It gives me confidence, and I didn’t give anyone else a chance.”
The tournament determined the top 36 who will compete in the Charles Schwab Cup tournament that ends in two weeks in Phoenix, and that’s where the drama unfolded.
Australia’s Cameron Percy, who only qualified for the 50-and-over circuit in May, had 7-under 14 holes in the final round until three straight bogeys put him outside the top 36.
It was so close that it took Miguel Angel Jiménez missing a 10-foot par putt on the final hole to break out of a three-way tie for fifth with Percy. The extra money from the two-way game moved Percy up to 36th in the Schwab Cup standings to extend his season.
Jason Caron had the big consolation prize. He played two full seasons on the PGA Tour and left the tour in 2011. Now the champion at the Mill River Club in New York, he has posted five top finishes this year — including the Senior PGA Championship — and last week came up short. top 36 of the Arkansas tournament.
Caron shot a 68 and tied for third with Hiroyuki Fujita from No. 53 to No. 35 in the Schwab Cup. His position was only secured after Fujita missed an 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
Fujita joined Caron and Percy in the top 36, edging out Mike Weir, David Bransdon and Scott Dunlap. Top-ranked Ernie Els closed with a 65 and was seven shots clear of Steven Alker to retain the No. 1 ranking in the Schwab Cup.
Harrington, who finished 17-under 199 and earned $365,000 from No. 11 went to No.
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