Jerry Kelly Wins Bridgestone Senior Players Championship

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Jerry Kelly Wins Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Firestone CC
Jerry Kelly poses with the trophy after winning the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Firestone CC on Aug 16, 2020 in Akron, Ohio. Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Jerry Kelly posted a 1-under 69 to claim a two-stroke victory over Scott Parel at the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship.

Kelly, who owned the top spot after each of the opening rounds, clinged to a one-shot advantage over Parel after a bogey on No. 11. But that lead tripled when the Wisconsin native aced the 177-yard par-3 12th, using a 5-iron.

“I mean, it was perfect timing after making my first bogey. I wanted a bounce-back birdie, but definitely a bounce-back eagle was even better, said Kelly, who led the field with 51 greens hit in regulation.

“It was just a really clean shot. It was everything that I wanted to do. And when the brain works and then the muscles work and it follows the tune and actually goes in, it’s pretty amazing.”

Jerry Kelly Wins Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Firestone CC
Jerry Kelly celebrates with his caddie Eric Meller after hitting a hole-in-one on the 12th hole during the final round of the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Firestone CC on Aug 16, 2020 in Akron, Ohio. Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

A bogey by Parel on the very next hole provided Kelly with a four-shot cushion which was never threatened down the stretch, despite closing with a double bogey.

“So, yeah, just happy to build a lead that we could do that on 18,” joked Kelly.

Kelly (-3) and Parel (-1) were the only two players in the 80-plus player field to finish 72 holes of golf in the red.

Tied for third-place at level-par was the duo of Colin Montgomerie (71) and Miguel Angel Jimenez (69), who were the only other players to finish even-par or better.

Rod Pampling shot a low-round 66 to finish tied for fifth on 2-over par, alongside Ernie Els (70) and Woody Austin (73).


Winner’s Pro-File

Name: Jerry Kelly
Nationality: American
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 170 lb
Birthdate: Nov 23, 1966 (age 53)
Native: Madison, WI
College: Univ. of Hartford
PGA Tour Wins: 3
Champions Tour Wins: 7
Best World Ranking: 18 (Mar 2003)


Leaderboard: Final Top 5

Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Jerry Kelly -3 (-1)
2. Scott Parel -1 (E)
3. Colin Montgomerie E (+1)
3. Miguel Angel Jimenez E (-1)
5. Rod Pampling +2 (-4)
5. Ernie Els +2 (E)
5. Woody Austin +2 (+3)


Top Shot: Kelly Aces No. 12

Using a 5-iron from 177 yards, Jerry Kelly makes an ace on the par-3 12th hole.


Parting Question For Jerry Kelly

Jerry Kelly Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Firestone CC
Jerry Kelly reacts to a missed putt on the 7th green during the final round of the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship at Firestone CC on Aug 16, 2020 in Akron, Ohio. Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Q. And then THE PLAYERS Championship, that’s going to be pretty cool.

JERRY KELLY: “Yeah, no, it’s seriously one of my favorite places on the planet. I love it. I love playing there. I love the tournament. I hope it’s not too cold and rainy.

“But I like that it’s back in March, it’s tougher. So you got to get the ball in the fairway. It will be lush and it will be deep, I hope, with the rough.

“So yeah, it’s a fairways and greens place. It’s good.”


Credits: Getty Images, PGA Tour Media


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