Pat Thompson wins Chanticleer National Senior Invitational

In a tightly contested battle to the end, Pat Thompson of Asheville, NC won his second Chanticleer National Senior Invitational on Friday at Greenville (SC) Country Club by a single stroke over Buddy Bryant of Lexington, Ky.

Thompson, whose last victory came at the 2019 Kingsway Senior Invitational, strung together rounds of 71-73-74 for a 54-hole, 2-over score of 218 and managed to fend off Bryant, who carded a final round 73 after opening rounds of 71 and 75. Thompson, who won the 2018 Chanticleer in a playoff, shot a 39 on his first nine holes on Friday but came home in 35, making his lone back nine birdie on the par-4 13th hole. Bryant also got off to a shaky start and was four over through his first five holes but played his final 13 holes 3-under for a final round 73.

In addition to his two wins at Chanticleer, Thompson’s senior resume includes wins at the 2019 Kingsway, 2015 Carolinas and 2013 North & South Senior Amateurs.

Sherrill Britt of Lexington, Ky. made a nice charge on Friday but ran out of holes. Britt birdied 16, 17 and 18 to close to within two of the lead and settled for a solo third place showing at 4-over 220 (74-76-70).

Geno Berchiatti saw his title hopes dashed after he made a triple bogey six on the par-3 16th and a bogey on the last. The Greenville, SC native tied for fourth place with Richard Kerper of Oldsmar, Fla. At 5-over 221.

John Dennis (Greenville, SC) won the Super Senior title with a 1-over score of 217, good for a six-stroke victory over Robert Parmer of Fairhope, Ala.

Charles Yandell (Cashiers, NC) and Robert Desjardines (Matthews, NC) tied for first place in the Legends Division at 214 (+1).