Rick Cloninger wins Chanticleer National Senior Invitational

There's something about Greenville Country Club that suits Rick Cloninger.

Cloninger won his third Chanticleeer National Senior Invitational on Thursday, carding rounds of 71-73-73 at Greenville CC, which is located about an hour and a half from his home in Rock Hill, SC.

Cloninger birdied the final hole to finish at 1-over 217 for the tournament, which proved to be enough for a one-stroke win over Jack Larkin. It was Cloninger's third CNSI title following wins in 2015 and '16.

Preston Edmondson (R)

Cloninger entered the final round tied with Bob Royak, but the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur champion struggled to final round 79 to slip to fifth place. Larkin, who began the day two strokes off the lead, gained a share of the lead with an eagle on Greenville's par-5 17th, but Cloninger answered with a birdie on the last to take the title.

In the super senior division, Preston Edmondson, Steve Humphrey and Buzz Fly were tied at the end of regulation at 11-over. Due to travel commitments, Fly was not able to join the playoff, leaving Edmondson and Humphrey to decide matters on their own.

The playoff was short-lived, as Edmondson pulled out the victory on the first playoff hole.