Des Smyth wins Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters at Woburn
Winning is like a drug. Once you get the hang of it, you never want to let it go. Ireland’s Des Smyth has proved that he has the same problem albeit for the better. He has for the fifth successive decade won the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters 2010 at the scenic golf course in Woburn. The Irish clinched victory once again by snatching it from England’s Carl Mason in a record 24th senior victory.
The game had an interesting start and finish. Des Smyth claimed victory after scoring a 69 with three under par. He played an exceptional game after three years to reach the top of the leaders’ board defeating England’s Carl Mason. Mason was leading the overnight board but only managed to finish at 40 with a two up par.
Smyth commented that a slight change in his putting style worked miracles for him. Smyth said that he had felt like Spaniard Severiano "Seve" Ballesteros Sota on the day as he played his game, and marked him as one of those people who knew how to make it happen. He explained that this was surely a day where everything fell in place and he felt like a champion.
The 57-year-old had a lead of three strokes at the end of the game but before that, it was Mason leading Smyth with three. However, considering the difference in scores, Mason’s margin dropped one place after the 12th.
Smyth played a birdie at the 11th hole when Mason collected a bogey at the 12th. At the 13th hole, both players made room for the final turning point on the 14th by playing a birdie.
The 14th hole came as a surprise for the entire lot when Smyth moved to minus 10 by playing a birdie at par five after which Mason fell to a minus 8 by playing a double bogey.
The 16th hole placed Smyth with a one stroke lead and at the last hole the Irish birdied again to clinch victory. Mason finished off the last hole with yet another bogey which pushed him 3 strokes behind Smyth.
For Smyth, two things worked him to the top. One was his confidence and the other was his putting style. He said that his changed style of putting made it easier for him to spot the lines more effectively and it take a lot of effort. Smyth said that this clarity of vision had helped in improving his confidence and his game.
The man from Ireland finished his final round with a 206 having a 10 under par with Mason just around the corner. Considering the European tour, this was his third win of the senior tour. Both Mason and Smyth played identical rounds of 66 who were leading the former Master Champion, Ian Woosnam who is the most capped amateur. Gary Wolstenholme was one stroke behind the Englishman from Wales on the fourth spot.
Wolstenholme was at his senior tour debut, which was rather impressive. His bucket contained 70 titles, 200 win caps and 2 Amateur Championships to his name.
Mason however faltered in the second round. In R2, he tripped to a 2 over 74. His stumbled approach led him to the second place with a minus 7 in hand. If this didn’t happen, the Englishman may have set the record for all-time wins with a 24. The record is currently tied with Tommy Horton.
The third place was tied between Adan Sowa and Gary Wolstenholme with a 68 and 70. The pair was tied for the 3rd place at the Woburn Golf Club with a 210 at 6 under par.
According to Smyth, it is always wonderful to win in front of a crowd who knows your style of play. The Irish believed that he was really pleased with what he had achieved at Woburn. His fifth decade win has bought immense happiness since he has been able to achieve his goals effectively. The Irishman exclaimed with great enthusiasm that he still holds the record for being the oldest winner at the European tour. His journey from the 1970’s till now has been nothing but success and only time will tell how far can this man go.
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