FOWLER Gets That Winning Feeling Again

Peter Fowler continued his incredible recent form by claiming a second consecutive European Senior Tour title at the ISPA Handa PGA Seniors Championship in England.

The Australian came into the final day with a four-shot lead and eventually won by three but he did not have it all his own way during the final round at Close House in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Fowler, the winner of last week’s Acorn Jersey Open, double bogeyed the ninth hole to see his lead disappear as Austria’s Gordon Manson pulled level with the 56 year old.

But Fowler refused to buckle and refocused his efforts on the back nine, eliminating his mistakes and conjuring three birdies to ensure a fifth European Senior Tour win.

Manson finished second, three shots back, with Carl Mason in third place at eight under par.

“Two wins in a row is something that doesn’t happen very often,” said Fowler. “There’s a lot of years of hard work, almost 15 years, to get to this stage, so it’s been worth it.

“I’m playing really good golf and whether you win or not it’s a bonus, but playing good golf is what I strive to do. My putting in particular has been the best it has been for a long, long time, so I’m chuffed with that. You can’t win tournaments without your putting.”

Fowler was in no mood to rest on his laurels following his win last week, and started his Close House challenge with a 68 and two 67s.

Scoring conditions were tougher in the north of England for the final day, but Fowler still managed to card a one under par 70 for a 12 under par total.

He continued: “It was colder so the ball wasn’t going nearly as far and I came up short with a few iron shots and a few from off the tee. I left myself a long shot in on the ninth especially.

“But I knew I was playing well, the best I have played for a few years actually. So it was great to get the job done and nice to have qualified for the US Senior Open Championship.

“I also have to say I enjoyed the course. It is a beautiful development, with great ambience. I played it three or four years ago and I forgot how the designer told me to play it. I certainly won’t forget anything about it now.”

Manson, whose second place finish was the best of his European Senior Tour career, was intent on focusing on the positives to come out of his impressive week.

“Peter (Fowler) said to me ‘well played you had me sweating out there’ and I gave him a bit of a run for his money. I had chances and got some good putts in today,” the Austrian said.

“It’s my best ever finish and I’m delighted. There was a little blemish on the last, but hey, I did so much good stuff this week.”

Carl Mason meanwhile, who was going for an unprecedented fourth ISPS HANDA PGA Seniors Championship title, had to settle for third spot after matching Fowler’s one under par 70.

“I’m very happy – I thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s good to be up amongst the leaders again,” said the 25-time European Senior Tour winner.

“I saved my best shot till the last and I like that. I’ll come away with good memories. Eight under par is a good score and I’m very pleased with that. Peter played great, he had his bad moments, but he was very solid.”
Pos
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Nat
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1
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FOWLER, Peter
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AUS
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