FINAL SCORES Australian golfing great Peter Senior has secured the Handa Australian Senior Open title by a solid three shots at Royal Perth Golf Club today. The impressive Senior topped the leaderboard for the whole tournament with rounds of 65, 70 and a steady 72 on the last day, finishing at nine under par. Senior made amends for his performance at the 2009 tournament where he narrowly missed out in the play off to fellow Australian, Michael Harwood. This year, Senior never looked in doubt from losing his position at the head of the field. Despite not capitalising on his lead, none of the contending group including compatriot Peter Fowler were able to come through. The battle for second place was hotly contested and won by Scotland s two-time Major Winner Sandy Lyle, who shot three under par 69 to fend off the challenge from Frenchman Marc Farry, England s Gary Wolstenholme and DJ Russell. Delighted with lifting the Handa Australian Senior Open trophy, Senior said: It’s been a great week. The course was sensational and it s been great to see the European boys out this week. I would have liked to have played a little bit better coming down the stretch. I think I played a little bit safe, which is why I made a few mistakes, but nobody really came after me. I m really happy to finish on top, especially after what happened last year, when I let a lot of guys in. To win golf tournaments whether it s Senior or the main Tour you ve still got to play well to win. It still feels great winning tournaments. Pleased with his march up the leaderboard following a steady 73 on the first day and fending off Wolstehnhome on the final hole, Lyle said: I ve really enjoyed playing here. Royal Perth is a real gem of a course. Dr Handa has done a wonderful job with the European Senior Tour worldwide. Although it will be a lot cooler I m looking forward to Japan next week. Fowler failed to fire on the final day at Royal Perth, having made a 67 and 71 in the first two rounds, his three over par 75 pushed him well down the results board in sixth position, alongside four other players including Scotland s Bill Longmuir who posted the best score for the day at four under par, 68. The European Senior Tour now heads to the Handa Cup Senior Masters in Japan, where the field competes alongside the JPGA seniors the 120 million Yen prize fund at Ohmurasaki Golf Club, Saitama from 25-28 November 2010. Great thanks must go to all volunteers who dedicated their time throughout the tournament as well as Royal Perth Golf Club members for giving up their course and providing a sensational facility to host the Championship.
Author: