Stuart Cink hails Padraig Harrington as friends set to battle it out for Senior US Open title
IRELAND'S Padraig Harrington will hope to see of good pal Stewart Cink in the final round of the Senior US Open.
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Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Stewart Cink of the United States along with Australia's Mark Henby will battle out for the US Senior Open title
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The trio are all locked on -8 heading into the final round at Broadmoor GC
It sets up a wide-open weekend for Harrington, the 2022 champion, after a round that included five birdies, a bogey at the 15th, and a costly double bogey on the 12th.
Four of Harrington's five birdies came on the front nine, with his final one arriving in style on the 18th thanks to a chip-in - a finish that left the 53-year-old satisfied.
Speaking after the third round, the Ratfarnham ace said: 'It's always great to chip in.
"It was great to chip in on the last hole. It was straightforward on the green, but I was chipping against the grain.
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"There was quite a bit of grain on that slope. So getting good contact was never going to be easy.
'Yeah, I was very happy with the chip, and it was a big bonus that it went in.'
But despite being in direct competition, there's no animosity between the experienced duo.
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And their mutual respect is longstanding. Back in 2019, Harrington described Cink as his ideal playing partner and someone he'd 'choose to play with.'
Before Cink admitted that he's probably been paired with the Dubliner more than anybody else during his career.
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Cink. said: "I've always respected his game, and we're very good friends with their family.
"It's a comfortable pairing. I love watching him play. I would hope that he probably feels similarly about me.
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"We have mutual respect for each other. He's a world class player and he's been doing it a long time. I would love it if we could go the distance here."
But the pair's friendship will be on hold this evening with the US Open title on the line.
The closest players to the leading trio are Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who is just one back after shooting a 66, and Steve Flesch.
Harrington, Cink and Hensby get underway at 3:50pm Irish local time.
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