Russ Cochran wins the Senior British Open with a two stroke lead over Mark Calcavecchia
Russ Cochran smashed a score of five-under-par 67 in the final round of the Senior British Open to take a two-shot lead over Mark Calcavecchia, and win the championship. The first major on the Champions Tour took place at the Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey,
England.
The 52-year-old Cochran banked on $310,000 after clamping five birdies at the front and one at the back. With this triumph, Cochran has improved his winning streak to three on the tour.
Commenting on his win, Cochran said, “It's a big hump I've got over there. To do it in a major and on this golf course means so much. And to do it with the kids here, it's even better.”
Two strokes behind Cochran was American Calcavecchia, who led the leaderboard in the previous round. The veteran saw the golden chance slip out of his hands on the par-3 ninth hole, where he four-putted for a double-bogey.
The 51-year-old Calcavecchia stepped into the tournament with a bid to join the Hall of Famers Tom Watson, Gary Player and Greg Norman, being the fourth player to win both on the Professional and Champions Tour.
After failing to fulfill the bid, Calcavecchia said jokingly, “I liked him (Cochran) better when he was injured.”
Cochran faced a wrist injury in April, while he was playing in the second round of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf tournament. As a result, he bid goodbye to competitive golf for two months. Two weeks ago, he returned to golf and finished tenth in the
Nature Valley First Tee Open.
Corey Pavin and Tom Watson were tied for the third spot after compiling an aggregate of nine-under-par. Pavin reeled four birdied and one bogey in the day.
Meanwhile, a three-time Senior British champion, Watson marveled the field with his powerful strokes and accurate putting. He aced the par-5 second and birdied four holes at the back against a single bogey to post a score of 67.
“That's the beauty of the senior tour. You can have these guys that come out and shine. You find these stories of the guys you don't know about,” said Watson while speaking to reporters after the day’s play.
Cochran has carved his name in the history books after winning one of the most prestigious titles on the Champions Tour, now that is one story he wouldn't mind hearing from people.
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