FRED COUPLES birdied the final two holes of the 2014 Toshiba Classic in California to snatch his 10th US Champions Tour title today.
The 54 year old came from behind down a crowded final stretch at the Newport Beach Country Club to shoot a 5-under 66 to take the title by a stroke.
A rampaging Colin Montgomerie had earlier shot a tournament low 9-under 62 to take the club house lead at 14-under while half a dozen other senior golfers battled to overtake him.
Some, like Kirk Tripplet – who looked a favourite to win before he stopped sinking two foot putts – fell away while the old master Couples calmly sunk a four footer on the 17th and chipped from the back of the green on the 18th to 4 foot for another birdie.
In the end it was Couples claiming the trophy at 15-under with Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer (70) and Steve Pate (66) sharing second.
Peter Senior leapt into contention in the second round with and 8-under 63, a score matched by the ageless Tom Watson, who was delighted to better his age by one.
Senior began the second round four strokes behind overnight leader Langer and after birdieing the 3rd fell away with bogies on 5, 8 and 9. However, the 54 year old fought back with birdies on 11, 17 and 18 to finish on 10-under.
The Champions Tour moves on to the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic this week where Michael Allen is the defending champion.
2014 Toshiba Classic Leaderboard