PETER SENIOR has streeted the field to claim the 2009 Fiducian Australian PGA Seniors Championship at Byron Bay Golf Club.
Senior finished the 54 hole tournament at nine-under par and eight shots ahead of Michael Harwood and Larry Canning.
It was his first major senior Australian golf title and will be a big boost as he heads to the lucrative US Champions Tour in the new year.
Senior has had a major impact since turning 50 in July, recording two seconds and a fourth at his first three outings on the European Senior Tour, being beaten by Michael Harwood in a playoff for the Australian Senior Open title in Perth, and winning the Champions Tour’s National Qualifying Tournament at TPC Scottsdale in the US.
Senior’s Byron Bay win was set up with a superb nine under par second round on Saturday.
His round of 63 was a flawless display of shot making, hitting all the par fives in two shots, and recording a total of nine birdies.
First round leader Michael Harwood was still well in contention on Saturday evening, with a five under par round of 67 under his belt to sit at seven-under par and two shots back from Senior.
From the start of the final day it always seemed to be a race in two, with Michael Harwood the only player within seven shots of the lead. Senior quickly extended his lead to six shots as Harwood dropped four shots in the first nine holes.
Senior’s final round of even par was never going to be headed on a day where strong wind and rain inhibited scoring.
“All in all I played pretty well. From tee to green it was pretty good,” Senior said.
“Towards the end of today the fairways got water-logged, and we were actually pretty lucky to get finished,” he said.
In the difficult conditions, Senior’s 72 was the second best of the day, only to be outdone by equal second place getter Larry Canning (71).
The Fiducian Australian PGA Seniors Championship was the final event of the year and while Michael Harwood did not take the spoils at Byron Bay, he was a runaway winner of the Australian Seniors Order of Merit and also was awarded Rookie of the Year honours at the presentation dinner.
In their first few months opposing each other on the senior golf circuit, Senior and Harwood seem to be building a real arch rivalry.
As Harwood said after winning the Australian Open playoff in October: “It’s great to win an Aussie Senior Open title, but even better to beat Peter Senior cause he is an unbelievable player.”
Final Scores Top 10
Player Name Position Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 TOTAL
1 Peter A Senior QLD 1 72 63 72 207
2 Larry Canning NSW T 2 75 70 71 216
3 Michael Harwood VIC T 2 70 67 79 216
4 Michael A Ferguson QLD 4 77 68 72 217
5 Hugh F. Dolan QLD 5 76 67 75 218
6 David G Merriman NSW T 6 73 72 74 219
7 Garth Domigan NZ T 6 70 72 77 219
8 Brett A. Officer QLD 8 76 72 73 221
9 John T. Clifford NSW T 9 79 69 75 223
10 Craig Owen NZ T 9 73 72 78 223
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- Peter Fowler a highlight at 2011 Legends PGA Senior Championship
- Harwood 2 for 2 in Tassie
- 2009 Legends Tour OOM down to the wire
- Clifford stylish in 2010 SA PGA Senior Championship Win
- 2010 Fiducian Legends Championship just warming up
- Peter Fowler wins 2011 SA Senior PGA Championship
- Harwood takes the candy in classic finish
- Baker-Finch to join 2011 Australian Legends Championship field
- Senior wins 2010 Open
