Australian
Ross Metherell snatched his second European Seniors title in a little more than
a fortnight when he closed with a 71 for 12-under-par 276 in the £180,000
PGA Seniors Championship at The Belfry.
The
50-year-old coach from Perth edged American Bill Brask into second spot by a shot,
just as he had done when he burst onto the European Seniors scene with victory
in the De Vere Hotels Classic at Ferndown.
The
Minnesota professional missed out on a play-off when he chipped eight feet past
on the 18th and missed the return to finish with a 69 for 277.
Metherell,
winner of 50 Australian tournaments in the 60s and 70s, said: "I'm enjoying
this. I only came over to see what it was like on the Tour and I must say I like
it.
"But
after another three tournaments over here I shall be back coaching next winter.
It was close out there but I knew what I had to do. I have won from the front
before."
The
Australian was engaged in a tight final round in front of 5,000 spectators, with
his fellow countryman Terry Gale, winner at The Belfry three years ago, keeping
close order.
But
Gale could not better par on the final circuit, a level 72 giving him third spot
on 10-under 278.
Brask
had fired his effort with four birdies in six holes from the turn and will rue
his clumsy chip at the last.
The
best British challenge came from Midland professional Jim Rhodes who, out in 36,
fired his local supporters with three birdies in four holes from the turn to get
to nine under, which was only two off the pace at that stage.
But
he had left it too late and his eventual 70 left him in fourth on 280 - two behind
Gale.
Leading
final round scores and totals in the PGA Seniors Championship at The Belfry (Gbr
& Irl unless stated):
276
R Metherell (Aus) 71 68 66 71
277
B Brask 70 72 66 69
278
T Gale (Aus) 68 70 68 72
280
J Rhodes 70 72 68 70
281
M Slater 72 65 69 75
283
D Jones 73 71 71 68, A Bardha (USA) 68 72 74 69, J Bruner (USA) 69 72 72 70, D
Huish 68 72 71 72
284
J Van Wagenen (USA) 70 70 73 71
285
L Higgins 75 68 71 71
286
T Price (USA) 74 72 71 69, R Campagnoli (Ita) 70 74 70 72, C Defoy 68 74 71 73
