A New King of the Senior Open Championship
In a thrilling climax to the Senior Open Championship, Alex Cejka managed to outmanoeuvre Padraig Harrington in an intense play-off. Despite harsh weather conditions creating an uphill battle for all players at Royal Porthcawl, Cejka emerged victorious, showing his true golfing prowess.
Cejka Soars to Victory in Brutal Conditions
The indomitable German, Cejka, seized his third senior major victory by securing a birdie on the tricky par-five 18th. The stakes were high, but when Harrington could only achieve par, the title was clearly within Cejka’s grasp.
The drama extended to the 72nd hole, where Harrington narrowly missed an eagle putt that would have clinched him the victory. What followed was a tense halving of the first play-off hole, further ramping up the tension.
The Triumph of Cejka: “It’s surreal”
Overwhelmed by his win, Cejka stated, “I can’t believe I’m standing with the trophy here.” The sight of previous champions’ names etched on the trophy and the pictures of past winners, now juxtaposed with his own success, felt surreal to him.
In a testament to the day’s challenging conditions, not a single player managed to score an under-par round. This lack of under-par rounds was a repeat of the previous day’s play and a rarity not seen since the Senior Open round at Royal Aberdeen in 2005.
A Battle Amidst the Elements
Through relentless rain and gusting winds on the south Wales coast, Cejka and Harrington found themselves neck and neck. With rounds of 76 and 75 respectively, they were tied at five over par. Harrington’s muffed chip on the second play-off hole provided Cejka with the opportunity to claim victory with a two-putt birdie.
This win cements 52-year-old Cejka’s place in the annals of senior golf, adding the Senior Open to his senior major victories, the 2021 Tradition, and the Senior PGA Championship, both won the same year.
Harrington’s Noble Fight in the Senior Open Championship
Despite Harrington’s commendable efforts, his second play-off defeat in a senior major this year signifies that he has had to content himself with second place in all of his Senior Open appearances. Harrington ruefully acknowledged a “tentative putt” on the 72nd hole, conceding that he had been too cautious, potentially due to fatigue.
How much did Alex Cejka get for winning the Senior Open Championship 2023?
Alex Cejka now takes home $447,000 or around £350,000 as the winner of the Senior Open Championship 2023. Padraig Harrington in runner sup spot won $298k, around £230k prize money which is not a bad day out either. The total prize fund the Senior Open Championship that took place at Royal Porthcawl in 2023 was £2.75m.
Other Major Players
It wasn’t all about Cejka and Harrington, however. Vijay Singh of Fiji started the day alongside Harrington, just one shot behind Cejka. Singh ultimately finished third, scoring a birdie on the last hole for a 77.
New Zealand’s Steven Alker and England’s Phillip Archer both experienced unfortunate drops, finishing with a final-round 81 and tied fifth respectively. Archer shared his position with Wales’ own Phil Price, who wrapped up the championship with a spirited birdie on the 18th.
Also, making a significant impact on the leaderboard was YE Yang, the 2009 US PGA champion, who ascended an impressive 44 places to finish tied 11th. Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, however, had a less enjoyable Sunday, finishing 22 over for the tournament after a disappointing round of 88.
Swing to the End
Despite the adverse weather conditions and fierce competition, the Senior Open Championship showcased some of the finest golfing talents, making it an unforgettable spectacle. As the final putt was made, and the last cheer echoed around Royal Porthcawl, Alex Cejka cemented his place in Senior Open Championship history. He’s a worthy champion, and we’re already excited to see who will rise to the challenge next year.
