A double bogey at the first in the final round of the Welsh Seniors Championship was not the start envisaged by Adrian Bragg when he went to bed the night before but he was all smiles walking off the 18th after recovering in style to take the title by four shots last night.
The Radyr player started the third round of the 54-hole stroke play competition at Aberdovey GC two back of Brian Rigby (Glamorganshire) but he quickly recovered from the horrible six to register six birdies during a fantastic final round 70 (-1).
With Rigby struggling to maintain his form of the previous two days, Dunstable Downs’ Philip Sutton became his closest challenger until an unfortunate eight from Philip at the par five 13th left Adrian four clear with five to play.
“When I was trying to sleep last night I was trying to figure out what the winning score was going to be,” said the new champion, who at the age of 59 has just nudged his handicap into plus territory (+0.1) for the first time.
“And I kind of figured it would have to be under par. But to break par at Aberdovey in itself… I am really, really pleased with that.
“I did joke with the starter about the first being stroke index 10. It must be the toughest stroke index 10 in world golf and after the double bogey I did worry this could become a long, old day. But a couple dropped and I was out in level par and was happy with that.”
The 13th proved a massive turning point in the final round as Adrian holed an “outrageous” 20-yard putt for a a birdie while his playing partner Philip four putted after chipping on.
“I was a bit gutted for Phil,” said Adrian. “But at the end of the day we are all trying hard to win it. Walking down the next fairway Wales captain Roger Floyd asked if I wanted to know the state of play and I said yes. With a four-shot lead I just then really tried to stay in the moment and I played the last four holes really well.”
The champion, winning it for the first time, could afford a bogey at the tough closing hole but by then it was clear the impressive trophy was heading south with him.
Philip had the consolation of winning the 60-64 prize while the 65-69 trophy was taken home by Nigel Evans (St Mellons) and the O-70s was won by Basil Griffiths (Llanymynech).