Steve Webster claimed a maiden Legends Tour victory at the Grass & Co. English Legends hosted by Roger Chapman, winning by two shots after a tense final day at Brocket Hall.
The Englishman, playing in only his seventh Legends Tour event since turning 50 earlier in the year, carded a level-par round of 73 to edge out South Africa’s Keith Horne and Welshman Bradley Dredge, who posted the clubhouse lead earlier in the day with a sensational nine-under par 64.
DURING THE ROUND
Speaking afterwards, an emotional Webster struggled to make sense of a tumultuous final round. “I just can’t explain it. I was cruising, and then I didn’t even feel like I could play golf for two holes, and then I’m cruising again, and then it felt like I was a 30-handicap, then I hit a good shot, and then I hit a terrible one, and it was just such a roller coaster out there. That’s the hardest day’s golf I’ve ever played.
“I made it really tricky for myself. I played great the first two days but your mind wanders a little bit when you get five or six clear. So if Tiger or Rory are watching, I need to know how to front run a little bit better. I can’t believe I got over the line in the end.
“I didn’t have a clue what the players around me were doing, I was so worried about myself. I made a nice birdie on nine that I thought would calm me down but then I hit a bad shot into 10 and then a bad shot into 11, and then you feel like you’re going on a bogey run.
Then I three-putt the par-three and I thought here we go again. But I hit a great shot into 18 and managed to make the birdie for the win. I’m just so happy, it’s awesome.”
THE CHASING PACK
With Webster faltering on the back nine, the door was ajar for the chasing pack to capitalise but neither Keith Horne or Thomas Gogele – both winners on the Legends Tour – were able to exert pressure.
Horne eagled 10 brilliantly to get to -12 but then handed both shots back over the next two holes and didn’t manage another birdie to the house.
He does at least have the consolation of moving up to second in the Order of Merit and closing the gap to leader Scott Hend who finished T20.
Gogele, playing alongside Webster, then missed a raft of chances as his putter went cold down the stretch, failing to convert a number of excellent opportunities and falling to T5 in the end.
Dredge meanwhile, having finished earlier in the day, would have been wondering if -10 might be enough after his magnificent 64.
“I was disappointed with my scores the first two rounds but my swing felt better and I had high hopes for today,” said Dredge. “I made a great start, was hitting it close and rolling in the putts – but the only disappointment is not managing a birdie on 16, 17 or 18. I was looking forward to this one and Ireland next week and hopefully this will be a good end to the season for me.”
MONTY AND BAKER
Elsewhere the top-10 also included Peter Baker, whose birdie at the last was enough for a 72 and sole 4th place. Former European No.1 Colin Montgomerie rolled back the years to finish T5 at -8 after a round of 70 – he was joined by Mikael Lundberg, Jean-Francois Remesy and Gogele.
Tournament host Roger Chapman enjoyed a final walk down the fairway as he signed off his 44-year-playing career at the English Legends in emotional fashion.
“It’s been an amazing week and I’m so moved by the reception I’ve received from everybody – from my fellow players to the Legends Tour and everybody connected with this event. I’m looking forward to retirement and won’t miss the grind of professional golf. But it’s been an amazing career, and one that I’d never dreamed I’d have when I first turned pro.”
The Legends Tour now moves on to Ballymena and the Black Desert NI Legends.
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