South African Chris Williams bags the European Seniors Tour – Golf news
After putting up a stunning show, Chris Williams secured his maiden victory on the European Senior Tour at the Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters. The veteran golfer closed the final round with a solid 64. Williams was the runner-up last year, when he lost to
the senior champion of Brunei, Boonchu Ruagnkit. He was able to set the score straight this time when he defeated Ruagnkit at The Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Williams was visibly relieved after finally winning the trophy as he had finished off in top ten on twelve occasions last year. “The first one is always the hardest,” he said. “I've been runner up three times and close on a number of other occasions so people
do start to talk about it. It's nice to get that monkey off your back.”
Jamnian Chitprasong was leading the leader board at the beginning of the final day but Williams launched a fight back with a four feet eagle on the second hole. Consecutive birdies on the sixth and ninth holes boasted the South African’s chance of a foreseeable
win.
Another four birdies for the 12th hole and one for 18th led to Williams finally sealing the long awaited victory. Korean golfer, Sang-ho Choi was one shot behind Williams being the runner-up in the tournament while Mike Harwood of Australia
secured the third place.
The 51-year-old Williams had come a long way in his seniors career and has been working hard to win a major event. “I used a lot of visualization today, seeing the putts going in,” he said. “When I missed the short one on the fourth I went back in my mind
and holed it. Whereas in other tournaments people have played better than me to win, I just played better today.”
The European Seniors tour was founded in 1992 and includes golfers above the age of 50. The highest profile senior’s event, however, is the Senior British Open Championships which is co-sanctioned by the Champions Tour. Williams, for his coveted win, will
not only lay his hands on the trophy but will also bag a sum of €266,609. The runner-up, South Korean Sang-ho Choi, will have a share of €170,696. Last year’s champion, Ruagnkit, tied up for the 11th place.
Williams’s last victory was way back in 2003 on The Sunshine Tour, often regarded as ‘where the great golfers graduate’. Williams has won the sunshine Tour for a staggering nine times after he turned professional in 1978. He joined the European Seniors Tour
and qualified for conditional rights to play in 2008 at the Qualifying School.
Also, on the Seniors Tour were Ian Woosnam, Barry Lane, Sandy Lyle, and Sam Torrence. The win was definitely a feat in itself for Williams to compete with such iconic players of the past.
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