VICTORIAN senior professional Michael Clayton has claimed his first senior’s title, the 2009 Victorian Senior Open at The Dunes Golf Links at Rye on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula.

Clayton beat New South Welshman John Clifford by two strokes over the 54 hole event.
The final day began Friday morning under cloudy skies and gusty winds with eight players within five shots of the lead.
The drama started early with overnight leader David Good (VIC) dropping four shots in the opening two holes. This left him at four-under for the tournament, giving Allan Cooper (NSW) the early lead.
Clayton began four shots off the pace and made up some early ground to turn at three-under for the day one shot in front of Cooper. During the closing stages Clayton got to seven under par and looked to have the tournament in the bag until a late fightback by Clifford, who reeled off three birdies in four holes on the back nine, leaving him one shot off the lead.

Clifford’s chances slipped away when his approach to the 17th plugged in the face of a bunker. It took him two strokes to extricate himself.
With stormy conditions, play had to be suspended twice during the course of play before the eventual winner could be announced.
Overnight leader Good signed for 77 finishing tied 3rd with Cooper. Rodger Davis, who commenced the day just two shots off the pace, struggled in the windy conditions and finished 6th.
The Victorian Seniors Open concluded a week of golf at The Dunes Golf Links which included the $70,000 Big Pot Matchplay Series.
It was announced that the Big Pot and Victorian Seniors Open would return to The Dunes Golf Links in 2010.

Round Three – Final Results

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