Stewart Cink posted a 64 in Saturday’s third round at Scioto Country Club, climbing to 9-under 201 and carrying a one-shot edge over defending champion Pádraig Harrington into Sunday’s final round of the US Senior Open. Harrington finished with a 66 after a bogey on the last hole, while 36-hole leader George McNeill dropped to two back with a 69.

For the second consecutive year, Cink and Harrington will be paired together on championship Sunday. Last year at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Harrington edged Cink by one shot to claim his second US Senior Open title. Now Cink is chasing the first three senior majors of the season, and Harrington is trying to become the first successful defender since Allen Doyle in 2006.

Cink’s Strong Season

The 53-year-old has been the most consistent player on PGA Tour Champions in 2026. He has four victories in nine starts, including the Senior PGA Championship and the Regions Tradition, and has finished in the top six every time out. He has led the Charles Schwab Cup standings for all 13 weeks of the season.

A win on Sunday would make Cink the first player to capture three consecutive senior majors. The last player to win the Senior PGA, Regions Tradition and US Senior Open in the same year was Jack Nicklaus in 1991, and Scioto is where Nicklaus learned the game.

Cink acknowledged the added weight of facing Harrington again in the final group.

“We’ve done it a number of times other than last year, and before the PGA Tour Champions, as well, back in the early days. I think we did this in the Ryder Cup,” Cink said. “I’m going to have my hands full with him and all these other guys tomorrow, but mostly with Scioto and myself.”

Harrington Shifts to Chase Mode

Harrington made birdies on four of the first five holes on the back nine to get to 9-under for the tournament, drawing even with Cink before giving a shot back on 18. The World Golf Hall of Fame member is chasing a third US Senior Open title, which would tie Miller Barber’s record in the championship.

The 54-year-old said earlier in the week that he felt pressure as defending champion, but his mindset shifted once Cink took the lead.

“I think that feeling is gone now, as in Stewart is leading the tournament. It’s on his shoulders. He’s the one with the lead. I’m now chasing, so I don’t have that feeling at all,” Harrington said.

Harrington has been in the final group twice already this season and lost both times in playoffs. His last victory came at the 2025 ISPS HANDA Senior Open.

McNeill as Spoiler

McNeill, the third player in Sunday’s final pairing, remains a live contender at 7-under 203. The 50-year-old is a PGA Tour Champions rookie whose last PGA Tour victory came in 2012. He led by two after Friday’s second-round 66 but could not keep pace with Cink’s charge on Saturday.

He is trying to become the 13th player to win in his first US Senior Open appearance. Richard Bland was the last to do it, in 2024.

“Playing on the Champions Tour, I played in a couple final groups this year; played fairly well so far this year. Maybe I’ll just try and revert back to that,” McNeill said.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez shot 67 and sits alone in fourth at 6-under 204. The 62-year-old Spaniard finished third in this event last year and has combined with Cink and Harrington to win each of the last five senior majors. Darren Clarke matched Cink’s 64 and is tied for fifth at 3-under 207 with Paul Stankowski.

Weather and Course Conditions

Saturday’s tee times were moved forward by a couple of hours because of the threat of late-afternoon thunderstorms in central Ohio. Early morning showers softened Scioto’s Donald Ross greens, and Cink said the conditions allowed a more aggressive approach.

“Today was a good day. The golf course was a bit softer. It felt like you could be more attacking and had more control of the ball when it landed,” Cink said.

Final-round tee times have also been moved up, with more rain expected overnight. Cink said the potential for a soaked course made it pointless to plan around a target number.

“If that storm dumps a half an inch of rain on this golf course, it’s going to be a completely different test. I don’t think it would be smart to formulate any kind of a score plan right now,” he said. “Whatever score that leads to, part of my mantra is I have to be willing to accept that. That’s the only way I can free myself up.”

Scioto is hosting its third US Senior Open. The last time the championship was played here, Gene Sauers won in 2016. With Cink leading Harrington by one and McNeill still close, Sunday’s final round at the Columbus course could echo last year’s finish, with larger milestones at stake.

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