The former European Senior Tour began its new life as the Staysure Tour with a thrilling finish at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club in the United Arab Emirates.
Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant emerged triumphant in the season-opening Sharjah Senior Golf Masters, following a four-hole playoff played under floodlights at the nine-hole course.
Wiratchant, who won the over-50s’ tour’s final event of 2017 in Mauritius, completed back-to-back wins after beating last year’s order of merit winner Clark Dennis and Peter Fowler in a play-off.
With the light fading fast, the floodlights had to be turned to allow play to continue. Fowler was knocked out after a bogey on the first extra hole, while Dennis kept pace with the Thai for three more holes before a bogey at the 18th handed the title to Wiratchant.
“It was really difficult out there,” said Wiratchant. “I had to be so patient during the play-off, it was tough playing the 18th four times. I have never played in the dark before, it was tough to adjust and not lose concentration. I am so happy to win my second senior title. I want to be consistent and have a really good year.”
Wiratchant started the final day tied for the lead with Dennis on 11 under par, but the pair found themselves trailing Fowler, who carded a course record of 64 in Friday’s second round, for most of the afternoon on the nine-hole Peter Harradine-designed layout. A bogey on the ninth from Wiratchant, his only dropped shot of the 54-hole tournament, saw him trail Fowler and the Australian increased his advantage with a birdie on the 13th. Fowler then dropped a shot on the 17th, and Dennis, who was level par through 17 holes, birdied the last to force the three-man play-off.