Did a spectator's ringing cellphone hurt Paul Broadhurst's chances of repeating?

Historic Oak Hill Country Club received a ringing endorsement from players during the 80th Senior PGA Championship.

But did a cellphone ringtone keep England’s Paul Broadhurst from successfully defending his championship?

Broadhurst, who at one point went 40 holes without a bogey on a course where only three players would finish under par, was clinging to a one-shot lead over Ken Tanigawa with four holes to play.

At the par-4, 439-yard 16th hole, Broadhurst found the right rough with his tee shot and as he set up for his second shot, music began playing from a spectator’s cellphone right at the ropes, forcing him to step away.

It took a bit of time for the spectator to get his phone to shut off and at one point, a PGA official asked Broadhurst if he wanted security called.

That wasn’t necessary and Broadhurst eventually hit his second shot — far left into even thicker grass near a set of bunkers. With the ball buried, his third shot hopped the green. He chipped to 4 feet, but two putted for his first and only double-bogey of the tournament.

Tanigawa, playing a group ahead, had birdied 16. Just like that, Broadhurst's one-shot lead had become a two-shot deficit.

Tanigawa, 51, last year’s Champions Tour rookie of the year, went on to shoot even-par 70 for a one-shot win over Scott McCarron (70) and two shots over Broadhurst, who needed to sink a long miracle birdie putt at 18 to force a playoff, but wound up with a bogey for a final-round 75.

“Hats off to Ken, that’s a really good score in these conditions,’’ said Broadhurst referring to swirling winds.

But what about the ringtone?

“A phone went off, music was playing, but it wasn’t like I was over the ball ready to hit,’’ Broadhurst said. “I won’t use that as an excuse. The ball came out left, buried, and I hopped it over the green (on his third shot).’’

It was a valiant title defense by Broadhurst, 53, who began the day at 6-under. While his double-bogey at 16 was critical, he mostly lamented a series of missed birdie putts on the front side when he could’ve taken a more solid command of things.

“I knew it’d be a tough day, it’s a tough course to lead on,’’ he said. “I feel I gave it away early. Five, 7, 8, 9…I had good opportunities for birdies and didn’t make one.’’