Peter Senior (53!) Wins Australian Open!

Absolutely amazing story Down Under at the Emirates Australian Open: Martin Blake reports on the wacky, windy final day from The Lakes where Peter Senior held off Justin Rose and Brendan Jones to become the oldest winner of the historic tournament.

Senior’s two Australian Open wins – he also won at Kingston Heath in 1989 – came 23 years apart, another record. He is the oldest winner of any top-level Australian tour event, having set the previous record himself when he won the Australian PGA at Coolum in 2010 at 51.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,’’ said Senior, a profoundly popular figure in the Australian golf industry over three decades.

He paid tribute to his son, who has carried the bag on the Champions Tour in the United States including two playoff losses. “We finally did it mate,’’ he said. “Mitch’s one percent (cut) is looking pretty good.’’

The tournament website's live blog covered the day beautifully, including posting some photos of the wind damage. The tournament replay on Golf Channel is at 1 ET.