Jerry Kelly held his nerve brilliantly down the stretch at Gleneagles to win his third senior major title with two-shot victory at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open.
The 59-year-old American entered the final round in a share of the lead with Australia’s Cameron Percy, but carded a two-under 68 to reach ten under par, finishing two clear of Percy, Darren Fichardt and Matt Gogel.
Kelly, who won the Senior PGA Championship in 2020 and 2022, got off to a blistering start and was soon three ahead, a lead he maintained at the turn. Countryman Gogel didn’t let him have it all his own way, however, as he signed for a bogey-free 63 to set the target at eight under, one back with Kelly playing the back nine.
Kelly failed to take advantage of the driveable 14th and kept leaving himself a long way from the hole but his lag putting was magnificent and he kept his nose in front.
As the final group stood on the 18th tee in pouring rain and Gogel watched on in the clubhouse, Kelly hit a brilliant drive down the par five and despite finding sand with his second, got up and down brilliantly for a closing birdie to secure his first Senior Major Championship in Europe.
Kelly was a three-time winner on the PGA TOUR and Presidents Cup player in 2003 before entering the senior game, where he now has 14 wins on the PGA TOUR Champions,.
Home favourite Stephen Gallacher carded the lowest round of the week, an eight-under 62, to finish fifth on six under par. American Taggart Ridings finished sixth at five under, one ahead of KJ Choi, Zach Johnson, Boo Weekley and Emanuele Canonica in seventh.
Kelly, who earned a $450,000 payday for the win, said: “After not being able to win The Open during the earlier part of my career, the Senior Claret Jug is the trophy that I’ve wanted as an over-50 golfer more than any other. And to do it in Scotland is even more unbelievable. I’m over the moon!
“I really appreciate the local Scottish fans for getting behind me and just lifting me up when things weren’t going my way. They really helped pull me through and I really appreciated their support.”
He added: “My brain was the most successful part of my game today. In the past I would have gotten down that I wasn’t striking it the way I’d like to strike it. But instead of worrying about that, I just went and took care of the next shot. I learned a lot about myself today, and I wish I would have learned it about 20, 30 years ago. You’re never too old to learn, and that’s what really pulled me through.”
For all the scores from the 2026 ISPS HANDA Senior Open, click here.
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