Shearer wins with record score

Australian Bob Shearer won the Bad Ragaz Seniors Open with a tournament record 12-under-par 198 after closing with a battling 68 at the Rhine Valley resort near Zurich.

It gave him a three-shot margin over American David Oakley who chased the Melbourne man home with a 66 for second place on 201.

Shearer, winner of last year's Jersey Seniors Open and the Philips PFA tournament at Meon Valley in May, called on his vast tournament experience to hold off the chasing pack

He had built his victory around a second round record-equalling 63 which gave him a three-shot cushion going into the final day. He three-putted twice over the first four holes yesterday to open the door for his challengers.

But only Oakley managed run him close, narrowing the gap down to a single shot after nine holes with a four-under 31.

Shearer was level par for the round at that stage. But he made it count coming home with birdies at 15 and 17 for a two-under 33 while the American could not better par for his 66

Shearer said: "This is a beautiful place to be a winner. It was a bit hairy out there at the start but I managed to grind it out, thanks to those two late birdies."

Leading final round scores and totals in the Bad Ragaz Seniors Open, Rhine Valley, near Zurich (Gbr & Irl unless stated):

198 B Shearer (Aus) 67 63 68

201 D Oakley (USA) 70 65 66

202 B Menne (USA) 68 65 69

204 J Bruner (USA) 70 70 64, B Gallacher 71 68 65, M Bembridge 68 70 66,R Carrasco (USA) 69 67 68, D Defoy 72 64 68

205 T Persson (Swe) 69 67 69, T Horton 69 66 70, P Leonard 64 71 70, B Verwey (Rsa) 69 65 71

206 M Slater 67 72 67, A Bardha (USA) 67 69 70

207 J Cabo (Spa) 73 69 65, G Parslow (Aus) 69 70 68, J Hudson 71 68 68, J Fourie (Rsa) 68 70 69, S Denham 65 72 70, L Monroe (USA) 68 69 70

208 J Rhodes 69 72 67, E Polland 67 71 70

209 N Wood 68 70 71,

210 M Gregson 73 70 67, D Huish 74 68 68, B Sandry 69 72 69, T Gale (Aus) 71 69 70, J Dolan (US) 67 73 70, B Brask (US) 73 66 71.