After four debilitating days at Trump International, Bo van Pelt, who came out during the flagship event of the Legends Tour, the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship organized by Colin Montgomerie, after a play-off with Darren Fichardt in South Africa.
The couple was closed for the week at -3 -the only two players who were under par, because strong winds produced extremely challenging play conditions. Van Pelt had enjoyed a lead of three shots in the middle of the rear nine, but the sandy Fichardt continued to fight while the American hissed and pulled the level with three to play. Nothing could separate the two from the final holes, because they both were looking for a first Legends Tour victory and followed a dramatic play-off.
Both players crashed excellent discs on the Parfive 18one. Van Pelt was the first to play a majestic Fairway wood from more than 260 meters to the center of the green, while Fichardt seemed to be injured his wrist while he was touching his approach and found a deep fairway bunker. By taking two more to come to the Green, his chance was lost and Van Pelt was placed two for Birdie and the victory.
After claiming the oldest senior championship in World Golf, Van Pelt said: “It means a lot for me, it has been a long way back and I can’t thank the Legends tour. My first event at Costa Navarino was great and this was too. I have been playing pro golf for 27 years and the two I have played that I have played on this tour.”
The American was also full of praise for his conquered opponent, who bravely performed to force a play-off and even had a chance to win in regulation before heND hole. “I can’t say enough about drones,” Van Pelt said. “He is a world -class player and he played really well today. I knew he wouldn’t go away. I just played solidly all week. I knew my game was in pretty good condition, but there were many good players here.
“I just tried to really get into my process, to concentrate on my pre-shot routine. It is easy to stay ahead of yourself, but you really can’t do it on this golf course. And I probably did a good job this week, because I once did in my career. My son was great. It was fresh start.
“My other son is Caddying on the Champions tour and so I feel like the happiest man in the world to win on this continent and win a huge event on the Legends tour with your son on the bag -you just have to squeeze yourself.”
On a day on which the wind fluctuated Windum and Momentum, enthusiastic crowds at Trump International were treated to a back-nine Battle Royale while both players exchanged Birdies and Bogeys.
Van Pelt seemed to cruise, with Birdies on the 3RD and 4one take him to -4. When he was woarked in a beautiful 8-iron to five feet in the 13one And then he went to another Birdie – as both Fichardt and Khan Bogeyed – the lead was stretched to three and one hand was firmly on the trophy.
But Fichardt refused to call in quietly and immediately for Birdie at the next, while Van Pelt exceeded the green and could not come up and down from a heavy lie. As soon as the American rode in a bunker on the 15one And dropped another shot that was tied up and a grandstand finish was set up. Fichardt will undoubtedly reflect on a missed opportunity that came on the front of the Green in two on the last hole of the regulation game – but he briefly left his long eagle peat and then also missed Birdie, matching Van Pelt’s Par.
Elsewhere, the home favorite Steven Gallacher assembled one last day and rose to the top five with four Birdies in a 69, but a bogey from the last derailed every weak hope for victory and he was forced to take pleasure with a draw for a fourth place for fourth place with Mikael Lundberg who had a 70. “I played well and gave myself a chance. It’s a shame about the bogey for the last time. I went for the putt to get third place and hit it and missed it then. But at least I gave it an attempt.”
Order of Merit Leader Scott Hend has also carded a three-under-par 69 to finish the week at +1 and jump to third place and to cement its position at the top of the money list. The top 10 was completed by Simon Khan in fourth place, causing a third consecutive performance in the last group at Staysure PGA Seniors Sunday, with Steve Webster and Peter Baker on +4, with Sean Whiffin, Maarten Lafeber and Andrew Marshall who join +5 at +5.
Another of the best rounds of the day came from another Scot – Greig Hutcheon – who made his local knowledge as a former member at Trump International a lot to get in 68 strokes and claim a share of 24one.
In the tournament, a number of Elite Junior also saw golfers from the local area who participated in the Staysure Future Legends event, played in two rounds during the first two days of the most important tournament. Dillon Middleton, who has a 5.2 handicap in nearby Cruden Bay, won with a 36-hole stabileford total of 61 points that played in addition to Legends Tour players Santiago Luna and Andre Stolz.
“At Staysure we are incredibly proud to be the PGA Seniors Championship for a long time and to support the next generation of elite amateur golfers by organizing the Staysure Future Legends competition,” said David Morely, Chief Marketing Officer at Staysure. “Giving young talent the opportunity to compete with golf legends in real tournament conditions is a privilege – and we are very happy to help create these unforgettable opportunities that will ultimately support their development in the game.”
The Legends tour now continues to Brocket Hall for the English legends on August 22.
Visit www.legendstour.com For more information and tickets.
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