David J Russell triumphs at the French Riviera Masters after the playoffs
David J Russell parred the third extra hole in the sudden-death playoffs of the French Riviera Masters, to register the second European Seniors Tour victory of his career, on Sunday, September 23, 2012.
Russell and Tim Thelen entered the playoffs after posting rounds of 65 and 66, respectively.
They also ruined Roger Chapman’s dream of recording three victories on the tour this year, as he finished with a seven-under par 209 – one stroke behind the playoff duo.
Chapman, the overnight leader, retained the lead, heading into the last three holes of the day. However, bogeys on the 16th and the 18th hole dragged him down to the shared third position on the leaderboard.
Russell, on the other hand, registered the best round of his campaign at the Terre Blanche Resort and Golf Club on Sunday.
His performance included a total of eight birdies against a lone bogey in the final round for an eight-under par tournament score. Thelen, in the meantime, signed four birdies and a sparkling eagle to join the Englishman on the top.
In the playoffs, both the players parred the first two holes. However, Thelen dropped a shot on the third extra hole – his only bogey in the last 39 attempts – and handed over the victory to his rival.
According to Russell, he was lucky to avail the opportunity that his opponent had missed in the end and raised the fifth professional trophy of his career.
“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said Russell. “It’s a shame that other people’s mistakes let you in, but I thought the golf was exceptional this afternoon and the scoring was excellent. It was unlucky for Tim there, but I’m absolutely delighted”.
“I had a score in mind at the start of the day and that was to break 70 to give myself a chance of finishing in the top ten. So I excelled myself. It was one of those days when things went for you. You have enough days when you don’t, so I’m going to enjoy
this,” he added.
Russell’s victory took the Englishman to the 12th position in the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit, with overall earnings of €113,564 this year.
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