RICHMOND, Va. — Justin Leonard stayed patient in blustery weather on Sunday and saw his putting pay off handsomely, as he eagled a 4-under 68 and beat Ernie Els by one shot in the Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
Leonard won his second PGA Tour title this year and finished in the top 10 after the first playoff event at the Charles Schwab Cup.
The top 54 teams will advance to the second playoff game next week at Arkansas.
Els took control of the back nine at Virginia Country Club’s James River Course and steadied his performance with birdies on the par-4 15th and par-5 16th.
But when Leonard made his move, he bogeyed the 17th hole. After birdieing No. 16, Leonard hit a hybrid 4-iron to about 20 feet and holed a downhill eagle putt at 12-under 204.
Els failed to make a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole that would have forced a playoff. He finished with a 72 to tie for second with Thomas Bjorn (68).
Bernhard Langer, a 68-year-old German who had won the PGA Tour Champions every year since turning 50, was two strokes away from the lead until a long three-putt bogey ended his hopes. He shot 72 to win his first title of the year in three strokes.
Scott Parel shot 71 and tied for 21st, moving up three spots to 53rd and advancing to next week’s Simmons Bank Championship. David Brandon fell.
After next week, the top 36 players will advance to the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
