As www.golfbytourmiss.com exclusively revealed earlier today, Peter Senior has officially become the oldest-ever winner of the Emirates Australian Open.
The 53-year old Senior is 10 years older than legendary fellow Australia Peter Thomson who was aged 43 in capturing the 1972 Australian Open at the Kooyonga Club in Adelaide.
It was only two years ago, Senior created Australasian Tour history when at age 51 he became the oldest winner of a Tour event in capturing the Australian PGA title and in the process becoming older than when another Australian golfing great, Kel Nagle. It was also on the occasion of Nagle’s 90th birthday.
Senior carded a final round level par 72 in the continuing blustery conditions to win by a stroke on four under par from fellow Australian Brendan Jones (71).
World No. 4 Justin Rose, who shared the lead with Senior with eight holes to play, eventually carded a 76 to share fourth place on one under par.
Senior, Jones and Rose were among jsut six players to break par over the four days.
However of special joy for Senior was having his 18-year old son, Mitchell on the bag.
Mitchell Senior was born five years after his father captured a first Australian Open title in 1989 at the Kingston Heath Club in Melbourne.
Mitchell has been caddying for his father since Senior qualified for the PGA Champions Tour and after losing three events in play-offs the father-and-son duo finally can share success.
“It doesn’t get any better than this, to have your son caddying for you and win a tournament,” said Senior.
“I’ve now been three years on the senior’s tour and Mitch has caddied for me the last two years. In that time we’ve lost three playp-offs but to now win a tournament together, and a tournament like the Australian Open, well I’m just over the moon and also so pleased for Mitch.”
Mitchell said: “I’m really excited and it’s just that dad and I now have our first win together.
“I remember when he first asked me to caddy for him as there was not really a choice for me. It was either go to college or go to the States and caddy for dad.
“I really wanted to caddy for him and I still remember our first tournament together as it was the 2010 Allianz Championship in Boca Rotan in Florida.
“I was really, really nervous but this is what it’s all about as you caddy to win no matter if it is your father or a friend.
“But I’m just pinching myself now that we have won because he mentioned to me coming up the last hole that when he won his first Australian Open in 1989 I wasn’t even born.”
However the Senior’s first concern was finding a hotel room for the night. The trio had intended to travel back to Queensland late on Sunday but after the lengthy delay they decided instead to remain in Sydney.
Senior and his son will team-up next week in their final event of the year, the Australian PGA Championship on the Coolum course, and in an event Senior has three times in the past – 1989, 2003 and 2010.
Peter Senior shines brightly in becoming the oldest-ever winner of the Emirates Australian Open. (Photo – Anthony Powter/www.golffile.ie)
