Jerry Kelly emerged victorious at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open, claiming his third PGA Tour Champions major title with a two-shot win at Gleneagles. Kelly, a two-time Senior Players Championship winner, birdied his final hole after recovering from a greenside bunker to finish 10 under par.
The 59-year-old carded a final-round 68, with his back nine featuring a birdie at 18, preceded by three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. Kelly's win has earned him a spot at the 155th Open at St Andrews next year, a feat that left him speechless. "The senior Claret Jug is the most coveted trophy for an over-50 golfer, and to win it in Scotland, the home of golf, is truly incredible," Kelly said.
Cameron Percy, who shared the 54-hole lead with Kelly, struggled to break 70 over the weekend, ultimately sharing second place with Darren Fichardt and Matt Gogel. Gogel notched a closing seven-under 63, while Scotland's Stephen Gallacher finished as the highest European, signing for an impressive eight-under 62 to take fifth place. Gallacher's round included five birdies on the front nine and a final birdie after bouncing back from a solitary bogey.
This win marks Kelly's third major title, following Stewart Cink's victories in the Senior PGA Championship and the Regions Tradition, and Padraig Harrington's US Senior Open win.