/ 28 July 1997

Player pips Bland to British Open Seniors win

MONDAY, 2.00PM:

SOUTH AFRICA’S Gary Player fired a five-metre birdie putt at the second extra hole to win the $58 330 Senior British Open at Royal Purtush on Sunday. He finished ahead of countryman John Bland.

Player shot a four-under 68 for his third Senior British Open trophy. “This is one of the two best rounds I ever played. One was when I beat Bob Charles in an 18-hole play-off to win the US Open at Medina, Chicago,” he said. “The other was today. It is a card I will have a duplicate made of and I will put that in my trophy cabinet.” Player said he has now fulfilled his dream of winning nine majors.

Bland led by two going into the final round at the par-72 Royal Portush course, and finished with a 70 to tie with Player at a 10-under 278.