Peter Senior secured the Handa Australian Senior Open title with a comfortable three-stroke win at the Royal Perth Golf Club.
Senior completed a wire-to-wire victory, compiling rounds of 65-70-72 to post a nine under par winning score to take the €54,498 first prize, three shots ahead of Sandy Lyle and four clear of Gary Wolstenholme at the first event of the 2011 European Senior Tour season.
Senior, who narrowly missed out in a play-off to fellow Australian, Michael Harwood, last year was delighted to finally get his hands on the Handa Australian Senior Open trophy.
He said: “It’s been a great week. The course was sensational and it’s been great to see the European boys out this week.
“I would have liked to have played a little bit better coming down the stretch. I think I played a little bit safe, which is why I made a few mistakes, but nobody really came after me.
“I’m really happy to finish on top, especially after what happened last year, when I let a lot of guys in. To win golf tournaments whether it’s Senior or the main Tour you’ve still got to play well to win. It still feels great winning tournaments.”
Former Masters and Open Champion Lyle fought off Wolstenholme to secure second place on his own with a final round of 69 to the Englishman’s 70.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing here. Royal Perth is a real gem of a course. Dr Handa has done a wonderful job with the European Senior Tour worldwide. Although it will be a lot cooler I’m looking forward to Japan next week.”
Defending champion Harwood shared fourth place on four under with Frenchman Marc Farry, while Peter Fowler, DJ Russell, Chris Williams, Rodger Davis and Bill Longmuir tied for sixth on three under.
The European Senior Tour now heads to the Handa Cup Senior Masters in Japan, where the field competes alongside the JPGA seniors the 120 million Yen prize fund at Ohmurasaki Golf Club Saitama.
