Australian Peter Fowler overturned a seven-shot deficit to pip Chilean Angel Fernandez to the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open title with a sparkling five under par 65 in the final round.
The 52 year old looked to be too far off the pace at the start of the last day, but he capitalised on Fernandez’s capitulation – he shot a five over par 75 - to claim his second Senior Tour title of the season.
Fernandez opened with stunning rounds of 61 and 63 but could not replicate that sort of form for a third round and had to settle for third place. His lead was slashed from five shots to none by the turn after he double bogeyed the eighth and dropped another shot at the ninth, and there was no way back.
Scot Andrew Oldcorn took the runner-up spot, two shots back, after a final round 68, while Fernandez finished on 11 under alongside South African Chris Williams, Englishman Gary Wolstenholme and Claude Grenier of Austria.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Fowler, whose comeback is the largest on the Senior Tour since the 2006 London Senior Masters. “I didn’t know I was leading until the last couple of holes, so that was the only time I got a bit nervous.
“Angel was playing so well I thought there was no way he’d let a lead like that slip. I thought I would have to shoot 63 today to have any chance of winning, but it turns out 65 was enough and I’m glad I played so well.
“It was probably a good job I didn’t know I was leading otherwise I might have been more nervous and messed it up.
“I’m very tired after six weeks on the road, so I’m looking forward to flying back to London tonight and having two weeks’ rest. It’ll probably be too late tonight to celebrate properly – I’ll have to save that for during the week.
“This is my second win of the season so this year’s gone pretty well so far. I’ve been very happy with my game the last six months.” |