
Harrington takes US Senior Open after Hensby falters
Padraig Harrington has come out on top of a major championship that felt more like match play, closing his final with seven straight pars at the US Senior Open to top Stewart Cink by one shot.
But there was disappointment for Australia's Mark Hensby, who had started the day as co-leader with Harrington and Cink.
He had hoped to mark his 54th birthday in style but could not conjure any of the magic that led to 19 birdies over the first three days and a share of the lead.
Aiming to become just the second Aussie to win the event after Graham Marsh in 1997 and the first to win a senior major championship since Stewart Ginn at the 2002 Senior Players Championship, he only made two birdies on Sunday.
He shot a three-over 73 to tie for fourth at five under with Thomas Bjorn.
Playing alongside Cink for the fourth straight day, Harrington shot a three-under 67 to finish on an 11-under 269 on the tricky, heavily sloping Broadmoor course.
The Irishman sealed the match by hitting his approach to eight feet on No.18, putting pressure on Cink, who trailed by one but sat 30 yards in front of him on the fairway.
Cink's approach landed on the precipice of a ledge, but spun backward and did not come to rest until it was 35 feet away to set up a two-putt.
That made it advantage Harrington, who also two-putted to win his second US Open title in four years, adding that to a trophy case that also includes the 2007 and '08 British Opens and the 2008 PGA.
The only player who threatened to get in the mix in this two-man show was Miguel Angel Jimenez. After opening with bogey, Jimenez made eight birdies to pull within a shot of the lead.
But he yanked his tee shot well left on No.18, had to punch out and made bogey. He still shot the best round of the tournament, a six-under 64, and finished in third, two shots back.
Of the other Aussies, Cameron Percy finished joint ninth, Scott Hend was equal 16th, Greg Chalmers shared 18th while Steve Allan and Rod Pampling tied for 22nd.
Stuart Appleby finished joint 32nd, with Richard Green 45th.

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Herald Sun
2 hours ago
- Herald Sun
NPL Victoria Talking Points: latest transfer moves, handball controversy, red card
The mid-season transfer window is open and NPL and VPL clubs have been busy adding fresh talent for the business end of the season. Some recruits made an instant impact on the weekend, while it was a time to forget for one unlucky fella. The window closes on Wednesday, so we'll update the full list when available. There was also plenty of big results across the weekend. There was a handball controversy, a stunning comeback and arguably the best 20 minutes of football played this year. Check out all the highlights below. TRANSFER MOVES ZAHI ADDIS (Hume City) Comes down to Melbourne from NPL Queensland club Gold Coast United. The 21-year-old is a left-back by trade and has come through the Brisbane Roar Academy, while also representing Gold Coast Knights. Made a start in Hume's loss to South Melbourne on Friday night. RAFFIE AKIEL (Heidelberg United) The Aussie midfielder is back in his home country after representing a handful of clubs in the UK. Akiel spent time at Fleetwood Town, Bamber Bridge, Nantwich Town, Marine and Kendal Town. Also featured from Portuguese club Espinho. The 22-year-old is also the cousin of former New Zealand rugby and rugby league international Sonny Bill Williams. NICK ANSELL (St Albans) Arguably the biggest recruit of the transfer window. Ansell arrives from Thai outfit Nakhon Ratchasima but is best known for his time at Melbourne Victory. Played more than 100 A-League matches for the Victory and Adelaide United. Was a part of Victory's 2014-15 double-winning campaign. Has also spent time overseas, playing for Portuguese club C.D. Tondela and Jeonnam Dragons and Gyeongnam in Korea. Represented Australia at underage level. LUKE FRANCIS (Preston Lions) A big addition to an already formidable Preston attack. Francis came through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday and spent time at Sheffield, Handsworth Parramore, Belper Town and Rotherham United. Since making the move to Australia, he has made a name for himself as a dangerous striker at NPL Queensland club Wynnum Wolves, where he won the Golden Boot and was named in the Team of the Year last year. WILL GILLINGHAM (Port Melbourne) The Kiwi defender arrives from Scottish club Cove Rangers. Gillingham just missed out on New Zealand's Under-23 squad for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics before heading to the USA to play college footballer. Played four seasons with University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as a handful of appearances for USL League Two club South Georgia Tormenta 2. NICK KOEK (St Albans) The youngster arrives from Western United's academy. The attacker played 11 games and scored one goal for Western's academy side in VPL1 this season before making the move to test himself as the next level. Made his St Albans debut as a 66th minute substitute in the win over Port Melbourne on Friday. 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The forward spent time at Aberdeen, Ayr United and Dutch Eredivisie club Go Ahead Eagles. Arrives at Olympic Village from American outfit One Knoxville. Came on as a 67th minute substitute in Friday's 2-2 draw with Dandenong City SHAUN RUZVIDZO (St Albans) The Englishman joins Dinamo from VPL1 club Eastern Lions. A product of Peterborough United, Ruzvidzo talent, Shaun joins us from Eastern Lions FC and brings creativity and experience to our midfield. Made his Saints debut as a 66th minute substitute in the win over Port Melbourne on Friday. RYAN SCOTT (Preston Lions) The boy from Gembrook was a star at Bentleigh Greens, helping the club win three NPL championships and a pair of Dockerty Cups. Such was his impressive performances, he took home two Jimmy Rooney Medals as best on ground in the NPL Victoria grand final. It earnt him a call-up to Western United, where he spent four years, winning an A-League championship in 2022. Then played a further two years at Newcastle United. OWEN SHEPPARD (Altona Magic) The Canadian forward steps up from State League 1 club Corio. Had seven goals in 11 appearances in the state's fourth tier. Made an instant impact on Friday night, scoring on debut to spark Altona's come-from-behind win over Green Gully. MASON TATAFU (Hume City) The 23-year-old defender has plenty of experience. Came through the Perth juniors and Perth Glory Academy. His performances with Perth Glory in the NPL WA earned him an Asian Champions League debut in 2020 against Ulsan Hyundai before making his A-League debut later that season against Adelaide United. Jetted off overseas and spent three years in the US with Hofstra University. Replaced fellow mid-season signing Zahi Addis in the 78th minute of Hume's loss to South Melbourne on Friday. LACHLAN WEIER (St Albans) The experienced defender steps up from VPL1 club Caroline Springs George Cross. Only managed three games for the Georgies but was a key member of Hume City's line-up last year that made a pair of semi-finals and an Australia Cup quarter-final. Came on as a 70th minute substitute in Friday night's win over Port Melbourne. SOUTH EYEING MIRACLE FINALS RUN South Melbourne looked down and out mid-season, facing a relegation battle. However, new coach Sinisa Cohadzic has got the club back up and firing. The latest result, a 2-1 win over fifth-placed Hume City to revive the club's NPL finals hopes. Hellas is 4-1-1 in its past six and is now seven points clear of the bottom three, so there's still work to be done there too. Making an instant impact, mid-season signing Ren Nagamatsu found the breakthrough in the 38th minute. With just eight minutes left in regulation Hume equalised as Birkan Kirdar converted from the penalty spot. However, South responded immediately and Nahuel Bonada restored the lead just two minutes later to send the Lakeside Stadium faithful into raptures. Hellas is ninth, now seven points behind sixth-placed Preston Lions. Hume City remains fifth but is only three points ahead of seventh-placed Dandenong City COMEBACK MAGIC A new boy and the young fella. What a come-from-behind win for Altona Magic. What a missed opportunity for Green Gully. For the second time in as many weeks, Alex Gust thrashed a long-range volley into the back of the net, this time to secure a stunning 3-2 win over the Cavaliers at Green Gully Reserve. Ryan Inman had given the home team an 11th minute lead. However, Magic mid-season addition Owen Sheppard equalised in the 24th to immediately repay the faith. Gully skipper Josh Hope restored his club's lead just six minutes later. Things went pear-shaped for Gully just before half-time as debutant goalkeeper Brandon Cuminao was given a straight red in the 40th minute. Captain Maurice Nugent left him up the proverbial creek with a short backpass and the mid-season signing brought down Bilal Habib. A man up, the second half was all Altona, Anthony Frangie continued his strong season with a 55th minute equaliser and Gust smashed in a winner in the 96th with basically the last kick of the game. The win sees Altona sit 10th, now eight points outside the top-six and six points clear of the bottom three. Gully is eighth, still three points off sixth-placed Preston Lions. HANDBALL CONTROVERSY AS LEADERS HELD Heidelberg United and Avondale are cursing the city of Dandenong. Heidelberg was held 2-2 by Dandenong City, in a controversial clash at Olympic Village. League-leading goalscorer Bul Juach was at the centre of the drama. His 60th minute goal – his second of the match – was awarded despite what looked a clear handball in the lead-up. The Warriors star stole the ball from Pierce Clark but he appeared the control the rebound with his arm before putting the ball in an empty net. City's protests were ignored by the referee. He had earlier scored the opener in the 33rd minute. Heidelberg great Kenny Athui found the first equaliser in the 52nd minute and Yagoub Mustafa finished a lightning quick counter-attack to level the scores again in the 79th minute. Meanwhile, the Avengers were held 1-1 by Dandenong Thunder in a blockbuster 2 v 3 clash at Avengers Park. Luca Tevere had given the hosts the lead in the 37th minute but Yuki Uchida continued his brilliant campaign with a 65th minute equaliser. Heidelberg remains on top with a three-point lead over Avondale. The Thunder is a further five points back. SAINTS SAFE There's still a bit of work to do but St Albans is on track to play NPL football in 2026. 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In a stunning blitz, the reigning champions scored a four goals in the opening 18 minutes to blow the Lions out of the water. Matt Dench got the party started in the fifth minute and Adem Duratovic doubled the lead just two minutes later. Asad Kasumovic then scored twice in 10 minutes to all but end the match before the 20-minute mark. The result sees Oakleigh close back to within three points of third-placed Dandenong Thunder, while Preston is hanging on desperately to sixth, now just two points ahead of Dandenong City. VPL1 & VPL2 HIGHLIGHTS TO COME


The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hensby celebs on ice, Irishman claims US Senior Open
Padraig Harrington has come out on top of a major championship that felt more like match play, closing his final round with seven straight pars at the US Senior Open to top Stewart Cink by one shot. But there was disappointment for Australia's Mark Hensby, who had started the day as co-leader with Irishman Harrington and American Cink. Hensby had hoped to mark his 54th birthday in style but could not conjure any of the magic that led to 19 birdies over the first three days and a share of the lead. Aiming to become just the second Aussie to win the event after Graham Marsh (1997) and the first to win a senior major championship since Stewart Ginn at the 2002 Senior Players Championship, he only made two birdies on Sunday. He shot a three-over 73 to tie for fourth at five under with Thomas Bjorn. "I felt comfortable, I must admit. Obviously, we all get nervous, but I just didn't get off to the start I needed to really contend," said Victorian Hensby. "We just hit a few clubs that probably weren't the right clubs and hit it in some bad spots where it's hard to two-putt. "Just couldn't get any momentum going. Just couldn't get the putter right today. "Overall, I'm happy for the week. I had a good week." Fellow Australians Cameron Percy (66) finished joint ninth at one under, while Scott Hend (70), Greg Chalmers (69), Steve Allan (72), Rod Pampling (73), Stuart Appleby (72) and Richard Green (73) all signed over the card. Playing alongside Cink for the fourth straight day, Harrington shot a three-under 67 to finish 11 under on the Broadmoor course. The Dubliner sealed victory by hitting his approach to eight feet on No.18, putting pressure on Cink, who trailed by one but sat 30 yards in front of him on the fairway. Cink's approach landed on the precipice of a ledge, but spun backwards and did not come to rest until it was 35 feet away to set up a two-putt. That made it advantage Harrington, who also two-putted to win his second US Open title in four years, adding that to a trophy case that also includes the 2007 and 2008 British Opens and the '08 PGA. "It kind of validates your career," said Harrington. "It validates the past in a lot of ways. You're reliving the past glories, hitting shots, waving at the crowds. People are coming out because they know you from the past." The only player who threatened to get in the mix in this two-man show was Miguel Angel Jimenez. After opening with bogey, the Spaniard made eight birdies to pull within a shot of the lead. But he bogeyed 18 for a six-under 64, still the best round of the tournament, to finish third, two shots back. With The AP. Padraig Harrington has come out on top of a major championship that felt more like match play, closing his final round with seven straight pars at the US Senior Open to top Stewart Cink by one shot. But there was disappointment for Australia's Mark Hensby, who had started the day as co-leader with Irishman Harrington and American Cink. Hensby had hoped to mark his 54th birthday in style but could not conjure any of the magic that led to 19 birdies over the first three days and a share of the lead. Aiming to become just the second Aussie to win the event after Graham Marsh (1997) and the first to win a senior major championship since Stewart Ginn at the 2002 Senior Players Championship, he only made two birdies on Sunday. He shot a three-over 73 to tie for fourth at five under with Thomas Bjorn. "I felt comfortable, I must admit. Obviously, we all get nervous, but I just didn't get off to the start I needed to really contend," said Victorian Hensby. "We just hit a few clubs that probably weren't the right clubs and hit it in some bad spots where it's hard to two-putt. "Just couldn't get any momentum going. Just couldn't get the putter right today. "Overall, I'm happy for the week. I had a good week." Fellow Australians Cameron Percy (66) finished joint ninth at one under, while Scott Hend (70), Greg Chalmers (69), Steve Allan (72), Rod Pampling (73), Stuart Appleby (72) and Richard Green (73) all signed over the card. Playing alongside Cink for the fourth straight day, Harrington shot a three-under 67 to finish 11 under on the Broadmoor course. The Dubliner sealed victory by hitting his approach to eight feet on No.18, putting pressure on Cink, who trailed by one but sat 30 yards in front of him on the fairway. Cink's approach landed on the precipice of a ledge, but spun backwards and did not come to rest until it was 35 feet away to set up a two-putt. That made it advantage Harrington, who also two-putted to win his second US Open title in four years, adding that to a trophy case that also includes the 2007 and 2008 British Opens and the '08 PGA. "It kind of validates your career," said Harrington. "It validates the past in a lot of ways. You're reliving the past glories, hitting shots, waving at the crowds. People are coming out because they know you from the past." The only player who threatened to get in the mix in this two-man show was Miguel Angel Jimenez. After opening with bogey, the Spaniard made eight birdies to pull within a shot of the lead. But he bogeyed 18 for a six-under 64, still the best round of the tournament, to finish third, two shots back. With The AP. Padraig Harrington has come out on top of a major championship that felt more like match play, closing his final round with seven straight pars at the US Senior Open to top Stewart Cink by one shot. But there was disappointment for Australia's Mark Hensby, who had started the day as co-leader with Irishman Harrington and American Cink. Hensby had hoped to mark his 54th birthday in style but could not conjure any of the magic that led to 19 birdies over the first three days and a share of the lead. Aiming to become just the second Aussie to win the event after Graham Marsh (1997) and the first to win a senior major championship since Stewart Ginn at the 2002 Senior Players Championship, he only made two birdies on Sunday. He shot a three-over 73 to tie for fourth at five under with Thomas Bjorn. "I felt comfortable, I must admit. Obviously, we all get nervous, but I just didn't get off to the start I needed to really contend," said Victorian Hensby. "We just hit a few clubs that probably weren't the right clubs and hit it in some bad spots where it's hard to two-putt. "Just couldn't get any momentum going. Just couldn't get the putter right today. "Overall, I'm happy for the week. I had a good week." Fellow Australians Cameron Percy (66) finished joint ninth at one under, while Scott Hend (70), Greg Chalmers (69), Steve Allan (72), Rod Pampling (73), Stuart Appleby (72) and Richard Green (73) all signed over the card. Playing alongside Cink for the fourth straight day, Harrington shot a three-under 67 to finish 11 under on the Broadmoor course. The Dubliner sealed victory by hitting his approach to eight feet on No.18, putting pressure on Cink, who trailed by one but sat 30 yards in front of him on the fairway. Cink's approach landed on the precipice of a ledge, but spun backwards and did not come to rest until it was 35 feet away to set up a two-putt. That made it advantage Harrington, who also two-putted to win his second US Open title in four years, adding that to a trophy case that also includes the 2007 and 2008 British Opens and the '08 PGA. "It kind of validates your career," said Harrington. "It validates the past in a lot of ways. You're reliving the past glories, hitting shots, waving at the crowds. People are coming out because they know you from the past." The only player who threatened to get in the mix in this two-man show was Miguel Angel Jimenez. After opening with bogey, the Spaniard made eight birdies to pull within a shot of the lead. But he bogeyed 18 for a six-under 64, still the best round of the tournament, to finish third, two shots back. With The AP. Padraig Harrington has come out on top of a major championship that felt more like match play, closing his final round with seven straight pars at the US Senior Open to top Stewart Cink by one shot. But there was disappointment for Australia's Mark Hensby, who had started the day as co-leader with Irishman Harrington and American Cink. Hensby had hoped to mark his 54th birthday in style but could not conjure any of the magic that led to 19 birdies over the first three days and a share of the lead. Aiming to become just the second Aussie to win the event after Graham Marsh (1997) and the first to win a senior major championship since Stewart Ginn at the 2002 Senior Players Championship, he only made two birdies on Sunday. He shot a three-over 73 to tie for fourth at five under with Thomas Bjorn. "I felt comfortable, I must admit. Obviously, we all get nervous, but I just didn't get off to the start I needed to really contend," said Victorian Hensby. "We just hit a few clubs that probably weren't the right clubs and hit it in some bad spots where it's hard to two-putt. "Just couldn't get any momentum going. Just couldn't get the putter right today. "Overall, I'm happy for the week. I had a good week." Fellow Australians Cameron Percy (66) finished joint ninth at one under, while Scott Hend (70), Greg Chalmers (69), Steve Allan (72), Rod Pampling (73), Stuart Appleby (72) and Richard Green (73) all signed over the card. Playing alongside Cink for the fourth straight day, Harrington shot a three-under 67 to finish 11 under on the Broadmoor course. The Dubliner sealed victory by hitting his approach to eight feet on No.18, putting pressure on Cink, who trailed by one but sat 30 yards in front of him on the fairway. Cink's approach landed on the precipice of a ledge, but spun backwards and did not come to rest until it was 35 feet away to set up a two-putt. That made it advantage Harrington, who also two-putted to win his second US Open title in four years, adding that to a trophy case that also includes the 2007 and 2008 British Opens and the '08 PGA. "It kind of validates your career," said Harrington. "It validates the past in a lot of ways. You're reliving the past glories, hitting shots, waving at the crowds. People are coming out because they know you from the past." The only player who threatened to get in the mix in this two-man show was Miguel Angel Jimenez. After opening with bogey, the Spaniard made eight birdies to pull within a shot of the lead. But he bogeyed 18 for a six-under 64, still the best round of the tournament, to finish third, two shots back. With The AP.

News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Emma Raducanu comes clean on Carlos Alcaraz relationship as rumour mill runs wild
Emma Raducanu has put any rumours of a relationship with Carlos Alcaraz to bed. Raducanu and Alcaraz, both 22, have been subject to swirling rumours about a potential romance after they announced they would be teaming up as doubles partners for the US Open later this summer. The pair will team up at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre in August as they both look to add a doubles success to their US Open singles titles. SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week that the duo's relationship goes further than the court, but Raducanu insists there's no romance. When asked about it in her pre-Wimbledon press conference, the British star said while giggling: 'We're just good friends'. Raducanu is jumping at the idea of teaming up with the World No. 2, who is hot off the heels of winning the French Open earlier this month. Recalling when Alcaraz asked her to join forces, Raducanu said: 'I mean, of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play. 'But for me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to kind of go through the formality of asking my coach, so I didn't just make the decision.' On how they became friends, Raducanu added: 'I've known him for years. 'And actually in Wimbledon 2021 it was like kind of the first time I started getting to know him, and I had a good run there and then also again in the US Open in 2021. 'And I remember he was always playing the day before me and I was playing like the second day of the round. 'And I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.' Further lifting the lid on her connection with Alcaraz, Raducanu went on: 'We have a good relationship still. He's obviously overtaken me a lot, but it's nice that we have that from a while ago. 'I think for all of us, we really kind of value those connections that we had from when we were young because when you become a bit more known or a bit more successful, you just find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age because you're like, that's a real genuine connection. 'Because it becomes very busy and you have a lot more friends but the ones that you've known for a long time mean a lot more to you.' Raducanu was spotted cheering Alcaraz on when he won Queens earlier this month. And SunSport revealed the pair arrived at the club within minutes of each other on both occasions Emma went to watch Carlos play. A source said: 'Emma and Carlos' friendship was the talk of Queens – people think there is something going on between them because they have such a spark. 'He was apparently seen at her hotel last week and on Thursday and Saturday, when Emma went to support him, Emma's car arrived just minutes after Carlos got to Queens with his team. 'Inside they were seen laughing and joking with one another. Both Raducanu and Alcaraz will have their full focus on Wimbledon for now, with first-round action getting underway at the All England Club on Monday. Raducanu will open her account with a clash against fellow Brit, Mingge Xu. While Alcaraz will launch his defence of his 2024 title against Italian Fabio Fognini.