Woosie bags Seniors win in Ireland

Ian Woosnam defeated Bob Boyd in a play-off to win his third European Senior Tour title in the Irish Seniors Open.

The former World Number One, who won the Irish Open in 1988 and 1989 and led Europe to Ryder Cup glory at The K Club in 2006, birdied the third extra hole after finishing tied with American Boyd at Ballybunion.

Having started the final round six shots behind leader Roger Chapman, Woosnam fired a superb 67 – the joint lowest round of the week – to cap a remarkable turnaround, having begun the week with his clubs not turning up at the airport and a double bogey on the last hole in his first round for a 74.

The victory, which followed his wins in Poland and Russia en route to winning the John Jacobs Trophy in 2008, moves the Welshman to second in the Order of Merit behind fellow former Ryder Cup Captain Mark James. He becomes the third former Ryder Cup Captain to win on the Senior Tour this year following Sam Torrance in Barbados and James in Mallorca.

“Ireland certainly is good to me,” said the 51 year old. “I’ve won two Irish Opens, the Senior Open now and, of course, the Ryder Cup in Ireland which I’ll never forget.”

“I never thought I’d even be at the presentation after the first round. I was so disappointed coming of the course. I’d been working hard but not getting anything.

“It’s just good that I could hit my two iron off the last. My irons got me through that play-off.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with this win. I’ve been struggling along since the end of last year.

“When I saw Roger go back to one under and I got to level par on the eighth I thought I was still in with a chance. I knew it was windy enough to shoot a good score.  It’s nice to win in Ireland again and this will certainly help me on my way.”