Team Double-D Celebrating Victory Declaring ‘It’s Been A Long Time Coming But Feels Amazing”.

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Scotland’s David Drysdale is celebrating with his wife and long-time devoted caddy, Vicky teaming brilliantly in capturing the inaugural Vattanac Legends Championship in Cambodia.

It’s been a long overdue 19-year wait for ‘Team Drysdale’ but  thanks to a super final round the couple are winners in Drysdale’s maiden Legends Tour season.

‘Double-D’, as he has long been affectionally known posted an eagle and four birdies in a third and final round 66 to secure the win by a shot at 12-under tally on the host Vattanac Golf Resort course.

Looking back over the three rounds the long-attached Callaway golfer was a picture of near as along with the eagle he posted 13 birdies over the three days, including birdieing the 18th in each round and dropping only three shots to claim the £72,500 first prize cheque that has the Scot now lying seventh on the Legends Tour money list.

However, it had been an anxious wait for the Drysdale’s being out well ahead of the leading groups but pleased to have birdied the final hole for a then one-shot clubhouse lead over England’s Anthony Wall, who had also been in the clubhouse at 11-under.

Naturally there was overwhelming joy, emotion along with plenty of hand-shaking and hugging and rightfully so after 19 very long years – spanning 567 DP World Tour and 13 Legend Tour events along with the past two seasons competing on the Asian Tour – Team DDs wait was over.

“Vattanac Legends Championship winner sounds fantastic,” said Drysdale.

“It’s been a long time coming, but it feels amazing. I played great today and I’m delighted to get it done. I felt pretty calm and was just trying to stay focused and hit one good shot after another.

“I didn’t get off to a great start, but then I found my rhythm and hit some big shots into the par-fives on the back nine. The one on 13 was huge for me. I hit a great drive and had a good number, so hit 3-hybrid right at it – left me about an eight-footer for eagle which I holed. And the one into 18 is the sort of shot you dream of hitting. Almost made a three but delighted with a four to finish.”

Wall and fellow Englishman Peter Baker both finished a shot back at -11, with Andrew Marshall and overnight leader Phillip Archer at -10 on a day of low scoring at the Sir Nick Faldo-designed Vattanac Golf Resort.

South Africa’s Keith Horne – a winner at the Reignwood Legends Championship in July – led with six to play but was forced to settle for a share of sixth place, alongside first-round leader Greg Owen.

“It’s been a difficult half-hour,” Dyrsdale admitted.

“If you get a good drive away an eagle is definitely possible so it was a bit of nervous wait. I’m glad it’s all over. It means the world to me. I had a couple of chances to win, had a couple where guys robbed me if you like – this will go a long way to make it up for that.”

With the lead changing hands multiple times over the course of the afternoon, spectators in Phnom Penh were treated to a spectacular finish at the Vattanac Golf Resort with the Marshall, Horne and former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin forcing their way to the top of a fluctuating leaderboard before Wall and Drysdale made decisive moves.

Wall in particular made a great surge on the back, eagling the par-four 11th after driving the green and adding two further birdies coming in. “It was a full commitment driver – it ran to about five feet and I holed it, so that was great,” said Wall afterwards. “The last few holes are hard, mentally quite difficult, and I played them really solidly. I felt like I needed a three at the last, and I’m delighted that I was able to hit my best drive and a hybrid that pitched 15ft from the flag.

Sadly it ran through and left a difficult chip to hole. But it was a great day and sometimes is the way it is – I’m proud of my performance. I’m so pleased for David – he’s a diamond and he deserves to win. It’s been so long. I remember the play-off in Qatar and he was so unlucky. Fair play to him, I’m delighted for him.”

Earlier in the day, former Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth also enjoyed a moment to remember – a hole-in-one at the 15th hole. “It was a 4-iron from 197 yards, hit it perfectly and was really happy when it dropped,” said Fasth. “I think it’s my 11th ace and it’s always lovely when it happens!”

In a unique extension of the Tour’s first Cambodian chapter, there will be back-to-back Legends Tour events at Vattanac Golf Resort, as play moves from the East to West Course for the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition.

For more information, click here.

 



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