European Tour, Seniors Open,
Tim Thelan (Getty Images
The European Tour Seniors Open was won by Tim Thelan at the Bad Ragaz course in Switzerland on Sunday. The American had to resist the challenge of former Ryder Cup Captains in Ian Woosnam and Mark James to take home the €42,000 first prize. After also winning last week Tim said he could get used to the feeling, after he signed for a final round of -3 under par for a 67 that gave him a -12 under par total and secured a two-shot win over Mark James, with Ian Woosnam a further shot back in third.
“I could get used to this feeling. This is pretty amazing to win a second event in seven days. I played great again this week and to come out on top against another two of the game’s great players in Mark James and Ian Woosnam is very satisfying. I looked at the leaderboard on the 16th and saw I had a two shot lead, then Mark birdied the last to cut the lead to one. So that seven iron on seventeen really was a fabulous shot. Making that birdie putt was a big moment too because it gave me a cushion to play the last.”
Sir Bob Charles’s first round of 66 in Bad Ragaz saw the Kiwi better his age by a European Senior Tour record of ten shots, while Gary Player’s scores of 72-70-71 were a testament to the nine-time Major Champion’s fitness and competitive drive. Sir Bob finished the week at one over par in a tie for 42nd place, just two shots ahead of Gary who was in a tie for 50th.
