Golf

Padraig Harrington beaten in play-off by Alex Cejka in Seniors Open

Alex Cejka poses with the trophy after winning the Senior Open presented by Rolex at Royal Porthcawl
Alex Cejka poses with the trophy after winning the Senior Open presented by Rolex at Royal Porthcawl
By By Phil Casey, PA Golf Correspondent

Germany’s Alex Cejka defeated Ireland’s Padraig Harrington in a play-off to win the Senior British Open at Royal Porthcawl.

Cejka birdied the second extra hole to claim his third Senior major title after he and Harrington had finished tied on five over par following a final round played in miserable wet and windy conditions.

Harrington, who also finished runner-up to Darren Clarke last year, narrowly missed an eagle putt on the first extra hole and could only make par when the players returned to the 18th after duffing a chip from the back of the green.

The winner pockets just under £350,000 (€408,360) while Harrington takes away just over £232,000 (€270,840) for finishing second.

Overnight leader Cejka began the final round with a double bogey on the first and dropped another shot on the fourth, but battled back to hold a two-shot lead with two holes to play.

A bogey on the 17th halved the 52-year-old’s advantage and Harrington birdied the last to force extra holes.

“Wow, what a week. What a day,” Cejka said at the presentation ceremony.

“It’s incredible. I still can’t believe that I’m here. Beating Padraig in a play-off, such a great player, but I’m glad I did it and I’m super happy.”

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Padraig Harrington reacts to a missed putt on the 18th green during day four of The 2023 Senior Open Championship at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Course, Porthcawl Picture: PA
Padraig Harrington reacts to a missed putt on the 18th green during day four of The 2023 Senior Open Championship at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Course, Porthcawl Picture: PA

Cejka carded a final round of 76 and Harrington returned a 75, with YE Yang and Rob Labritz the only players able to match the par of 71.

Not a single player broke par over the weekend and the five over total required for a place in the play-off was the same as the halfway cut.

Former world number one Vijay Singh finished two shots outside the play-off following a closing 77.

A disappointed Harrington, who also lost a play-off to Steve Stricker in the Senior PGA Championship in May, said: “What’s annoying is I seem to only play well when there’s an urgency.

“You know, I finished up this tournament tied, and by God will I sit back and go, you know, the first three days, I left half a dozen shots a day out on the golf course.

“I chipped really poorly all week, I had a terrible time. I don’t think I’ve ever played a tournament where I’ve chipped this badly. I took several double-bogeys where I would normally be taking pars.”