FORMAT: 54-hole stroke play
Luffenham Heath’s Aide Firman came home in 31 on his way to a dramatic play-off victory in the Welsh Men’s Open Seniors at The Glamorganshire Club last night.
The Northamptonshire player was three back of long-time leader David Westwood (Little Aston GC) with nine holes to go and two behind with just three left.
Another five players were in contention playing the final five holes but it was the 57-year-old who held his nerve, taking the honours at the first extra hole after the Staffordshire golfer had bogeyed the last.
“I never felt like I was close to him (Westwood),” Firman told Wales Golf. “He was three ahead at the start and, apart from the last hole, he played well.”
After eight holes the gap was one but then Westwood birdied nine and playing partner Firman bogeyed it.
However the eventual champion struck a massive blow on 12 when he holed out from 20 feet. The treacherous downhiller meant he knocked his putt just “an inch”.
He then got within one at 16 thanks to his third birdie of the day and then missed a five footer for another at 17.
However Westwood let him back in at the last and Firman took full advantage at the first extra hole.