Pete Oakley joined the growing army of surprise winners in golf's major tournaments as the American held on for a tense victory in the £1million Senior British Open at Royal Portrush in Antrim.
Following swiftly on the heels of compatriot Todd Hamilton's triumph in the Open at Royal Troon the previous weekend, the 55-year-old from Delaware lifted the over-50s equivalent on the Antrim coast with a final round two-under-par 70 for a four-under aggregate of 284 and a slender one-shot win over former US Open champion Tom Kite and Seniors Tour rookie Eduardo Romero.
The unheralded Oakley, who only secured his place in the starting line-up by progressing past the pre-qualifying round last Tuesday, had been three shots ahead with three holes to play.
But when Romero and Kite, playing in the match in front, both birdied the 17th, Oakley bogeyed the 16th to have his advantage cut to a stroke.
When Oakley's approach shot to the 18th then trundled into the greenside bunker, a three-way play-off looked a distinct possibility. But having splashed out of the sand to 12 feet, the American bravely holed out for par to secure the £157,800 first prize. Kite, who closed with a 69 andRomero, who posted a tournament best 67, both picked up over £82,000 for their share of second place.
"I'm still trying to rationalise what has happened," admitted Oakley, who can now look forward to, among other things, a place in next year's Open at St Andrews. "My world is changing as of now. I'm not used to all this and it's very exciting to think of what I have to look forward to in the next year."
England's Mark James, bidding to become the first European player since JH Taylor in 1895 to win back-to-back major titles, had to settle for fourth place on 286.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
