Imperious Oldcorn wins Senior PGA

Scot joins illustrious group of double PGA championship winners

Double: Andrew Oldcorn joined an elite group to have won both Europen Tour and Senior PGA championships

Scotland’s Andrew Oldcorn turned in a superb performance to claim a commanding nine-shot victory in the De Vere Club PGA Seniors Championship to clinch his first European Senior Tour title at Slaley Hall.

Victory also meant Oldcorn became just the sixth player to win both the European and Senior Tour’s PGA titles, following his success in the PGA Championship in 2001.

A composed final round of 70 posted an unassailable 11-under total that secured his place in the history books alongside Ryder Cup captains Dai Rees and Brian Huggett plus Neil Coles, Charlie Ward and Ken Bousfield in securing this unique PGA double.

“It’s awesome, I can’t tell you how much it means to me, it’s a special day in my career,” said Oldcorn, who secured a cheque of £40,000. “It’s my first on the Senior Tour and my first since my victory at Wentworth as well.”

Another flawless display of ball-striking from the 51-year-old in the final round added to his earlier rounds of 73, 66 and 68, and left fellow Scot and nearest challenger Gordon Brand Jnr trailing in his wake.

Oldcorn picked up shots at 11 and 15 to allow the Edinburgh-based golfer a victory parade down the 18th in front of a packed gallery. Even a double-bogey finish failed to dampen his spirits as the rain began to pour.

“All the pressure was on me today, Gordon started exactly how I thought he would and came back in his own style as I expected him to,” said Oldcorn.

“One of my goals this year was to win and I couldn’t have picked a better tournament to win – the PGA Seniors Championship to add to my PGA Championship on the main tour.”

Brand Jnr’s red hot putter had given some hope he might reduce the deficit but the ex-Ryder Cup player admitted his chances evaporated at the ninth when he made a double.

Peter Fowler, winner at last week’s ISPS Handa Senior Masters, was tied third with fellow Australian Mike Harwood.

Oldcorn’s win, on the back of his second place behind Fowler at Stapleford Park, has catapulted him to second in the Order of Merit, overtaking compatriot Sandy Lyle.

Meanwhile Lindrick’s John King, making his Senior Tour debut after breaking his ankles 16 months ago, was among the leading PGA professionals, alongside Chesterton Valley’s Phil Hinton and Matfen Hall’s John Harrison at nine-over for the championship alongside a group including Sam Torrance and Gary Wolstenholme.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered