30/08/2011 Scottish Senior Open 2011

Golf tourism is a multi-million- pound industry these days.

Countless destinations worldwide offer varying attractions. But

there is no place quite like this. Quite correctly, entirely

appropriately, it is called The Home of Golf. And Scotland lives up

to its billing. There is no better port of call and St Andrews. That

instantly recognisable golfing Fairmont and Andrews for the

Cleveland -- Cleveland Golf/Srixon Scottish Senior Open there are a

fabulous views, down to the old grey toun.

There is the Torrance and the Kittocks Course. As its name

suggests -- suggests, the Torrance Course is designed by Sam Torrance.

It is a par 72. Unlike all exposed tests of the game, close to the sea,

scoring is impossible to predict. If the wind blows, scores will thaw.

Last year, only one player, Barry Lane, broke a par as some's

creation beard its teeth. We're on the eastern coast of Scotland just

over an hour's drive from the We are about to witness a festival

of senior golf. This is the 19th staging of the Scottish senior I'll

plan. Many other senior Tour's most successful players have their name

Sandy Lyle. Runner-up at that event that Mission Hills was Peter Fowler.

An Australian who has gone on to be the only more to pull champion so

far this season and lie second on the money-list, having recorded no

less than eight top 10 finishes. I have played consistently all year,

and the body is feeling OK, so it is all good. I think the most of us,

the better you feel, the more chance you get to play the game you

want to play. I have driven the ball much better this year and I

have been playing more often, and I have putted a lot better, so those

are the most important part of the game, driving and putting. Wild

horses couldn't have kept Glen Ralph from retracing his steps here,

given his outstanding record on the Everybody No Sandy Lyle is well

acquainted with the demands of the old course but this will be his

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

I have always disagreed with greens way you have struggled and then you

have to two putt. What you get here is a beautiful surface. It is a

good test. Sure to play a key role in deciding the champion at the

venue the senior professionals always thoroughly enjoy it. It just

smells of golf at St Andrews. It is a great place to come and play golf.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of doing so couldn't disagree with

those sentiments. Although that irreverent jokester Mark James

couldn't resist having a dig at the design work of his old pal Sam. But

he made at the Ryder Cup on five occasions. I have heard the critics

is a lot better. Just kidding! -- the key to X. He has done a good

job. You always want to go back and tweak courses and I am sure Sam

would want to do that. But from my perspective, it is a really good

test and he has done a good job. The layout is really good and

everybody can criticise something, there are a couple of pictures in

front of the greens and you can't quite get the low shots end --

pitches. I think it plays really well with the windy conditions but

you can play it in a calm as well. I think it is a great course and I

really enjoy playing good. This is really enjoy playing good. This is

the 14th event on the 2011 European senior Tour schedule. Tom Watson

heads the money-list but he went by the number of the required

tournaments to stay there, so in tournaments to stay there, so in

effect, Peter Fowler heads the list for the John Jacobs trophy. With so

much at risk, playing conditions they to be spot-on. In fact, the

course is pristine Dexter the efforts of the green keeping staff.

John Hawkesworth met the boss. These greens really are superb and

alongside me is Neil Ballingall, the course superintendent at

Fairmont St Andrews, responsible for getting this golf course into a

fantastic condition. It hasn't all been plain sailing running up to

the tournament? No, this year has been particularly bad, with the

amount of rainfall we have had. In August alone, we normally get 47 mm.

Up to the 12th August, we have had 144. Tell us the speed of the

greens this week. Running up to the Championship, we are trying to get

them as close to 10 as we can. That is 10 feet. You would expect a

normal part to run out do that. have the golf course sh -- the golf

course plays its part, is the rough that thick off for the double?

is particularly formidable. It is stronger than it ever is. It is

pretty tough to get their top if you are in the middle of it.

ins and outs that go on to get a tournament going, it is not just a

case of cutting the grass, but you have got a magnificent course and

let's hope it stays at OK for the rest of the week.

It has taken me nine hours to get here on this think but it is a

wonderful piece of machinery. You have to be a little bit careful,

because all I am doing is basically rolling the green. I hope you lads

appreciate the work that has gone into these greens this week. They

are absolutely mint. I will just go across one spot and make it nice

and quick. Play well. John Hawkesworth, at 12 on the mad

metre as always. After a lot of rain in the area in August, we have

been blessed with sunny skies, and been blessed with sunny skies, and

that was reflected in the day one scoring. Amongst those taking

advantage, Ian Woosnam, who launched his challenge with a two-

under-par 70. These days, Gary Koch spends the majority of his time

talking about golf as a TV commentator in America, rather than

actually competing. But there was no hint of frost during his opening

round 69. And John Hawkesworth, a player born right here in St

Andrews, matched that score. That is Gordon Manson, now an Austrian

citizen. He secured his place by the qualifying score in Portugal

last November. He would regard this as his best round so far, playing

very nicely indeed. A Manson was and the other mistake-free player.

One of the most interesting stories was authored by every green

Californian Jerry Bruner. -- evergreen. Been 64 years of age

didn't stop him knocking five birdies in a 67 which gave him the

lead for much of the day. Eventually, Bruner's Mark would be

perfect -- equalled by the defending champion. Barry lain was

trying to become the first player in the 19 year history of the event

to retain the title -- Barry Lane. He did enough to suggest that the

bookmakers, who installed him as favoured, were clued-up. 12 months

ago, he won by four and was the only player to finish under-par. He

loves the course. And he badly wants to keep the trophy.

But both Barry Lane and Bruno were trumped by an Australian, -- Bruner,

and that was Peter Fowler. He found the 18th green in a two with a

powerful three-wood into the heart of the green. That would set up the

eagle chance. That would be to get round in 65, quite extraordinary.

Was he up to the task? We mentioned his putting and driving a, he has

done both. The lowest by two that we have seen in three years. Quite

Gary Wolstenholme also broke 70, but the star of the show had to be

Fowler. 28 people managed to break par on

this golf course and although conditions were very nice, that was

pretty special scoring. Peter Fowler managed to get round in 65,

a wonderful 7-under par and Barry Lane shot 67, along with the 64-

year-old Jerry Bruner. Quite exceptional. Could that standard of

scoring be carried on into Saturday for the second round?

The answer to John's question is not quite. With a stiff breeze the

birdies did not flow quite so freely, but there was plenty of

quality golf. Ian Woosnam, seeking his second title of the season

after a win in Germany a few months ago, will go into the closing round

with a realistic hope at 4-under. One of his second round of playing

partners was Cole Mason, one of the most successful on the European

senior Tour. With three birdies in the last seven holes, very much in

the reckoning at 5-under par. Whenever Glen Smyth spies a links

course, he links he -- he licks his lips. He was tied six Thea and this

time he is sharing 4th with Mason. -- 6 last year. Ernie one player

has shot in the sixties in Bath days and one of them is Gary Koch.

He won six times on the PGA Tour, including the Bay Hill Classic. --

only one player. He is really enjoying his time here.

This has been a golden summer of success for Peter Fowler, with a

victory in Switzerland. Currently 8-under, he is serious the

targeting another title. In fact, Fowler lead by two playing the 18th

but ended the day with a call in a bogey six. That, coupled with a

birdie by Barry Lane, means we have a tie at the top. Parry added a

round of 69 to his Friday 67 and his grip on the trophy remains

The I played a very well, hit a lot of good and solid shot. Then the

back nine got a little bit loose on a couple but was able to hit some

par putt. So it was a good day overall and to go over bogey-free

it, I am very happy. I was one behind lash dear, I am one better

this year. -- last year. It was a tough day. I was hoping to get the

rhythm and get through again. Saturday dawned, the wind really

showed its teeth and played havoc with the scoring, as you would

imagine. 28 people weren't under- par that day. Even the leaders

struggled early on and the lead changed hands all day. Four people

managed to break 70 and one of them was Gary Koch, he doesn't play

full-time, but coming up the last, the final three baulk, Peter Fowler

had a two-shot lead. Sadly for him, he would make six. Barry Lane made

a birdie and they are all tied. golf - St Andrews. Today, the

attention was fairly focused up the hole, three miles from the Old

course, where there is a bright, pleasant but breezy day for the

final round of the Scottish Senior Open. Won the last day of any

tournament at the range is always a little quieter. Less banter, more

intense than usual, but that there was a friendly chat on the first

tee before the start recalled the leaders to drive off.

Barry Lane and Gary Koch comparing notes. While on the fourth green,

Carl Mason struck an immediate blow. sweeping the ball in from 30 feet

for a birdie that sees him claim to six under. Back on the tee, Lane,

Fowler and Koch will be hoping for something similar.

A dog leg right to left, a drive to the top of the hill, just over the

top. That is a very nice tee shot there from Gary Koch. That is

exactly what you want to be. Settle the early nerves. Now, Fowler

scrum -- certainly from this three ball. He has put some length on.

There is a school of the stock -- school of thought that suggests he

hits the ball as far now as he does trousers. He has hit it short of

this green, a good 5060 yards short. -- 50-60 yards short.

man, Ross Drummond. Delightful rhythm, one hurried through the

ball. He is one of the European Senior Tour's nearly men when it

comes to capturing titles. And there would nearly applied to his

second shot, attacking birdie on number four.

He has come close a few times, back on the first with Gary Koch. In a

friendly position. Anything left of the pin is a water

hazard. What a shot to open up with. I don't think it is unfair to call

him a part-time work in competitive terms, but he is. -- a part-time

worker in competitive terms. It is amazing how competitive he

has been this week. was going to wear those tartan

trousers yesterday. He has kept to better. I seem to remember he had a

a gimme. A strange quip Ross Drummond has there. -- a strange

grip. All of them are waiting to break

through for that first win. This takes Drummond to three under,

and that takes Fowler immediately to nine under. He was tied with

Lane overnight with Koch a shot behind. Is that the only birdie we

are going to see? I doubt it. Lane the closest. Koch to get to 8 under,

back into the breeze, slightly uphill.

Is this a sign of things to come this afternoon?

He is a class act. We have mentioned his six wins on the PGA

What a final - but what a start from the final three ball. Three

to all birdie the first. Now I gap has developed to Des Smith and Carl

Mason. Up ahead, one of those two enjoyed a pleasing start - Bob

Cameron claimed the fourth. He is now four under, possibly on course

for his fourth top-ten result of the season.

Mark James must two fairlys on the opening round, but he improved, as

you would expect, to three under par.

But the man behind the most concerted early news is Ross

Drummond, from Prestwick on Scotland's west coast. With a hat-

trick of birdies from the fourth onwards, this was the middle one.

Ross, runner-up in 2007, has zoomed into the top six.

Ian Woosnam, up on the fifth, first par 3 on the front now. 178 yards

down hill, the pin located 32 on 10 the slope and a wonderful shot from

Woosie, just favourable reaction from the breeze.

What a three ball this is. Woosie, Des Smith and Carl Mason. Decades

of experience. Des Smith won at Woburn last year,

and at Van Lanschot in Holland. Look at this.

shots into this testing par three describe the pin position want the

third hole today, especially when you are coming from rough like this.

They have moved the tee up over 406 yards, unfortunately he has got a

clean light. He has to play left of the pin, because when it is tucked

away there is not a lot of room. The bunker that beats in at the

front, very little room to pitch it. One thing that you rarely see on

the links, but -- a water hazard, but the lake on the side comes into

play. It used to be a par five, this hole,

made a par four this week. On the wrong side really, coming out of

the semi rough, but he has controlled it well.

A couple of groups before these. We saw John Harrison's title hopes

explode when he made a seven. He found the hazard.

Coming up the fair way, good follow-through, some spin, and that

is brilliant. Gary Koch with a great chance, they have not been

that many birdies here this week. Let me quickly tell you, Peter

Fowler's course record, 65, has been equalled today from Dennis

O'Sullivan from Ireland. Fantastic effort, Dennis, well done.

Mason has got another one at the fifth, and that takes him to six

under par. That weapon he is holding in his right hand has been

incredible since he became a senior good to see a birdie barrage today.

The breeze is up again. Woosie, right half, ball on... Dear me. I

bet that hat. He had won similar on the third. -- I bet that hurt. He

very nearly lifted in the jaws, but I think the breeze it might have

Woosnam, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is not impassive.

Des Smith, surely he is going to hold this after a wonderful tee

shot. He does indeed. Two bigger of the three make birdies. His is in

charge. Fowler on the third. A car alarm

goes off in the distance, it would do well to break this man's

concentration. He is into his own, and, as they say, rolling his rock

nicely. We talked about the greens being 10,

they are quicker than that now. We have had beautiful weather here. I

think the players are delighted with how the conditions have been,

because they have been consistent. Get him. Good try from Lane. They

were expecting perhaps rain, but it has not come and it has been a

wonderful place to play golf. Surely going to be a par four

Fowler, which means if Gary Koch can pop in a birdie, we will have

three leaders. My word! It fell in against the

wind, but it is in and Koch in -- joins fellow and Lane at nine under.

The benefits of gravity, 9, 9, 9, the trio at the top. It remains

early days, but Fowler, Lane and especially Koch must be satisfied

with their starts. Ian Woosnam birdied the par-five

Six for the second time in as many days. He is back where he started

the day at four under. From one format European Ryder Cup

captain to another - Mark James, who has put together a splendid

front nine. He reached the turn on 32 and made another birdie on the

tenth to infiltrate the top 10. Look at this. That is Carl Mason.

He is coming out of the bunker here on eight... From bunker to hole.

That eases the pain of a double bogey setback on the short par

eagle. Peter Fowler dropped a shot on the

fifth, but at soon got back on the train. Then, his challenge stalling.

St Andrew's is known for forcing players to hit putts from miles out,

but on the fifth Barry Lane judged this monster it to perfection. That

carried the defending champion -- and the defending champion to 10

under, where he stayed. Ed Regis. Gary Koch's short game

has been excellent this week, and another example of the American's

patch came on the seventh. Simple, accurate and 10 under.

A double bogey five on the 11th stopped Ross Drummond in his tracks.

Smith and Fowler shared the third, but a top it is Lane and Koch. They

are a bit -- about to tackle the simplest -- shortest, but not the

simplest hole on the course, at the Even though it is only a short hole,

you have got to be pinpoint accurate, because the ball will

fall off front right. Can Lane for? -- follow?

Very smart in his tartan trousers. It has not played easily all day,

this hole. Good, crisp, attack of the ball and he is up to the task.

Koch will get a partial read from always sensible, laying up. His

wedge doing the business. Not quite as much grab as he may have

anticipated. He came in quite low there, did not

get the put asunder first bounce. Releasing the club beautifully, and

he has got a little more spin on it. Great contact.

Maybe the boys behind will have a go at this green. They beheaded

further, certainly. -- they do hit it further.

in Leeds alone. Another pure roll. birdie. If -- Mason. Judged to

behind. -- so. Now, back to 11 and Gary Koch, has he learned from de

Barry Lane? Stay up. A no. Oh, dear, that is a real chance gone. Holes

are running out, advantage Barry 11th today has St Barry Lane

regained top position for -- one of only four birdies on the 11th today

has seen a Barry Lane regain top position. This is Paul Curry, who

shot a 60 ended 1992 Scottish Open. His 71 today wasn't record-breaking

but we couldn't resist showing his approach to the 18th. What the

leaders would give for that. After birdieing the 8th, Woosnam at

strung together for strait pars before this birdie on the 14th. --

is no less reliable -- no more reliable putter on the Tour than

the Carl Mason. Confirmation came on the 15th as he sank a birdie

number six of the day. Mason is 7- under and smiling. Peter Fowler

began the back nine with a couple of pars before reigniting his title

hopes at the 12th. He is 9-under and has enough balls to get back

into the reckoning. -- holes. have to be impressed with Barry

Lane. Another birdie on the 12th to stay on course for a successful

title defence. He is a formidable opponent on these links, the King

to supply the 10th English winner in this tournament -- the looking.

With Gary Koch birdie -- bogeying the 13th, Barry Lane is now way

clear. This is the shot back towards the North Sea. A little

ledge at the back waiting for the ball struck it too firmly. But Des

Smyth plays a pretty nice shot with Florida has a lot of the links

courses about it. He really enjoys playing this style of golf will.

And he continues to show it, what an approach. Yes, what a time to

hit a shot like that, absolutely stone dead. What is Barry Lane's

reply. --? Breeze is hard off the in five different decades. -- a

of when he became the oldest winner in the European Tour, winning in

Madeira, and he remains so, he was 48 at the time. I remember being

sat on the green when he won that. Now, how important is this putt

a par four Barry Lane, he will stay 8-under. And Gary Koch can knock

away a third of his lead with this second shot deserved a birdie. For

grab to negotiate, Barry Lane leads by two from Gary Koch. Can he

become the first player to retain her title on the European senior

blessings after a round of 71 saw the 58-year-old European senior

Tour stall what move into the top 10 at 4-under. -- stalled. It has

also be there pleasing day generally for Ross Drummond. He

recovered from his momentum shattering double bogey on the 11th

by birdieing the closing two holes. He is guaranteed to be the best

placed player from the host country. Enjoying himself immensely as well,

Mark James. The first European player to win a senior Major

Championship on the other side of the Atlantic Easter round in 67,

with just a single bogey as opposed to six birdies. He could be one to

watch at the next senior events, at Woburn next month. We saw Gary Koch

birdie from almost a tap-in range and the 14 than his second to the

15th wasn't too shabby either. -- on the 14th and his second to the

15th. With Barry Lane only managing par, Gary Koch needed to hole his

dramatic finish could well be on the cards. Des Smyth and Peter

Fowler are tied for third. Gary Koch his second, just a single shot

behind Barry Lane -- he's second. That is how it stayed when they are

both part number 16. Yes, and just two holes left of this fantastic

tournament. Gary Koch with the honour. The 8-iron, 184 yards.

Drawing in from right to left as the breeze comes in from that side.

place to leave yourself on the green -- that is. He was short left

on the first two days. No mistake And he draws it in from right to

left. So they are hard to separate at the moment. A slender lead that

Barry Lane has. It might be about to evaporate. 527 yards, the 18th

is the joint lengthiest hole on the course, but it is within range of

Des Smyth in two. It is a hole with the second shot... Stay up, that

will leave a entertaining putt. You can pitch it 45 yards short over

the back of the bunkers and it will fall short, or you can fire it up a

little bit further, but whichever way you choose to play it, it is a

definite birdie chance. Even an eagle chance. Down there, honest,

was Ian Woosnam. You will see him in a moment. There he is. The

format Masters champion has a birdie putt to finish at 6-under. -

- former. And he has won the Scottish Open on the regular Tour

three times. Now, Carl Mason, it would be when number 25, but it is

a very fine performance -- it won't absolutely brilliant. It has left

along in their thousands to enjoy this. The weather has been great

all week, as we know. Now Woosie, a fraction left to right.

symmetrical week for woos them. A 70, 70 and guess what? A 70 to

finish off as well -- for Ian nevertheless. Another solid

performance from Carl Mason. Two for Des Smith. We talked about his

win in Holland. He shot 62 in the final round in Bad Ragaz. And

number of top-ten finishes here, and currently in third place.

us is crucial - downhill, it must swing the little from left to right.

My word, what an effort. On 12 under, and Koch has a putt to join

right-to-left. But I do not believe it. Half an ounce more and that

would have held its line. I bet Barry Lane cannot believe it. Six-

time winner on the PGA Tour on a medic -- in America, trailed by 18.

By Leonard when collapse on the 18th, the title appears to rest

between Lane and Woosie fulls -- hand side is the shortest route to

the green, this looks of the left. He needs ally in the rough, and it

looks like he has a pearler. He is concerned, he knows he has missed

the fairway and it is in the lap of luxury of a cushion coming up the

18th. This here - that is a big drive - at different scenario.

This tournament has had pretty much everything.

Good weather, good scoring, and now a thrilling conclusion. That is

what they are playing for, the Scottish Senior Open trophy, and a

first prize of just over 42,000 through this final round, but he

has not stayed at the police -- stayed the pace. He is finishing in

style. If he holds that, it takes him to 11 under, Lane could bogey...

You never know. The man from Florida leans in close.

Good contact. Steady now, don't go Anything on the greens here and he

already on the green. He knew he had to at least find the green. It

is not over, but it is looking very much like Lane to retain.

Whatever transpires now, the winner is going to blitz the records going

-- the record score for the tournament. 21 players finishing

under par. I would bust ball to his caddy, Ian Watson, a local, who has

done a sterling job. -- a word must go to his caddy.

A get to 13 under par, amazing. The pace looks pretty good, but the

line isn't. Barry will be slightly rosy -- relieved to see he has not

helped that. Two putts will do. exclamation point.

He turns on the style. His wife, at the back of the green, smiles at

Fowler. He is going to tie at 10 under. You are not easily impressed,

but will be impressed by this - it is going to be his seventh drop

fives -- top-five finish of the campaign.

It's is no surprise to me, and I am impressed. I am -- I am impressed

with this man as well, a complete gentleman, he has, over, but he has

come up short. -- he has come over. A smashing battle, played in a very

good spirit. As you say, John, Koch gave it everything and then some,

and produced a remarkable performance given his shortage of

competitive golf this year. As was the case 12 months ago, Lane

prevailed. Last year he was four under par, this year he is 10 shots

lower down and the Scottish Senior I'm played very nicely yesterday

and today. Whether it is the course, I do not know whether it suits my

eye, maybe it is Scotland, I have my tartans on. By asked if I could

wear this, they said it was all right. I love this golf course.

right. I love this golf course. A what are the fine natural

implications? Fellow at edges closer to Tom

Watson bendy order of merit as Lane claims to third, overtaking Andrew

Oldcorn. That is a bonus for Barry Lane, but keeping the trophy was

always the main objective and the reason he returned to St Andrew's

rather than played in the States this week. He returned in style