Colin Montgomerie thwarted in US Senior Open defence
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It was a case of so-near-but-so-far for Brits Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie at the weekend.
Englishman Casey just missed out on the US Tour’s Travelers Championhip in Connecticut, coming up
short in a sudden-death play-off against defending champion Bubba Watson.
And Monty made a brave defence of his US Senior Open title at Del Paso CC, Sacremento, eventually having to settle for second spot after being outgunned by on fire American Jeff Maggert.
The Scot went into the final day one stroke off the lead but carded a near-flawless round of 66. However, Maggert rolled in six birdies in a 65 to finish -10 for a two-shot win.
Bernhard Langer, the 54-hole co-leader, shot a 68 to finish in a tie for third with New Zealand’s Grant Waite.
It was a gritty effort too by Casey who overcame a three-stroke deficit with five to play, tying Watson at -16-under.
Playing the tournament for the first time, Casey lost his chance at the title while playing the par-4 18th for the third time when his third shot from a greenside bunker flew over the green. Watson hit his 160-yard approach to 8ft to set up his winning putt and reflected:”I hung on, and that’s what you have to do sometimes to win”
