08 Dec 2019 | Professional golf |
Fowler wins in Seychelles as Aussies shine
by Contributor
It’s been a productive weekend in the northern hemisphere for some of Australia’s over-50 players with Peter Fowler claiming a seventh StaySure title on the European Senior Tour and Western Australia’s Stephen Leaney earning a ticket to play the PGA Tour Champions.
Fowler came from four shots behind overnight leader James Kingston at the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles with a final round 67 to win by one.
It was his first victory since claiming the 2018 Willows Senior Classic and his seventh overall since joining the over 50’s circuit a decade ago.
“The golf ball doesn’t know how old you are,” he told the European Tour website. “Since I’ve turned 60, I’ve said that I still need to work hard.
“If you look at Bernhard Langer and the other senior guys who are doing well around the world they continue to work hard on their fitness, which is important for us because our fitness is dropping, but I’m trying to keep mine up there.
“I’ve proved over the last 10 years that your fitness is key to success.”
For Leaney it was a second success at the Qualifying School after also getting through in 2018.
Despite making a bogey at the final hole, Leaney finished T4 at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona to grab one of the fove cards on offer for the 2020 season.
Rounds of 65-66-71-70 saw him finish 12-under, five behind winner Shane Bertsch but one shot clear of sixth place.
“Thanks to everyone for the wishes this week,” Leaney said on his Twitter account.
“Managed to get my card back at Champions Q school. Stressful week but I love it. See you all soon.”
Meanwhile in Florida Ryan Ruffels is well placed to earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2020 at the Latino America Tour’s season ending Shell Championship.
Ruffels is 12-under and T6 with one round remaining but importantly is projected to move from seventh to sixth on the final money list.
If he can move one spot higher on the final earnings table he will earn playing rights on the PGA Tour’s secondary circuit, the only path to the PGA Tour.
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