Victorian Michael Harwood has been crowned the 2009 Handa Australian Senior Open Champion after a thrilling final round at Royal Perth Golf Club. In an exciting turn of events, Harwood fired rounds of 71, 70 and 69 for a six-under total to topple overnight leader Peter Senior and Michael Clayton to take out the prestigious title in his first year as a Senior Professional. Heading in to the final round, Senior led by four shots and quickly extended that to five over playing partners Michael Clayton and Michael Harwood heading into the back nine. An unfortunate bogey at 11 saw Senior s round begin to unfold and a double bogey at 14 followed by another dropped shot on 5 had the trio all tied on five-under with three holes to play. After a terrific approach into 16, Senior made birdie to again take the outright lead. After an errant drive on the last hole, Senior could only manage par and watch as both Harwood and Clayton rolled in birdies to force the championship into a sudden death play-off. Having found the green safely in regulation on the first play-off hole, both Senior and Clayton narrowly missed their birdie chances. With a six foot putt to make for the championship, Harwood calmy tapped it in for the win for birdie to secure the National Senior Open title. It’s fantastic to be here and win such an exciting title, Harwood said. After 10 years of selling chocolates and candy in the Pro Shop I didn t think I d be back here. Whilst Harwood admits it s been hard for him to get back into touring life playing the European Seniors Tour he is still pleased to be back doing what he loves doing. This is the best year of my life going back playing and practicing hard again. It’s been difficult sleeping in different beds week in and week out and it s been tough on my wife Donna to be spending so much time apart again but we ll get there in the end. Harwood is excited about the growing Australian Legends Tour and looks forward to playing many Pro-Ams and events as possible next year. He expressed condolences to Senior who came unstuck on the back nine but also paid respect to his friend saying It’s great to win an Aussie Senior Open title, but even better to beat Peter Senior cause he is an unbelievable player. I m so pleased to be a champion like you Pete! Defending champion Wayne Grady closed with a 72 for a three-round total of one-under but it was New Zealander Garth Domigan who produced the shot of the day with an ace on the par 3 tenth hole.