Thaworn Wiratchant posted his first European Senior Tour success. Picture by Getty Images.
Mauritius:
Thaworn Wiratchant won his first European Senior Tour title in superb fashion at the MCB Tour Championship as he carded a final round of 62, 10-under-par, for a 23-under total.
The 50-year-old Thai, in his first year on the Senior Tour, started the day in a share of the 36-hole lead with Australian
Peter Fowler, but raced clear after carding six birdies on the front nine.
He then made consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes, before another gain on the 17th. The two-time Asian Tour number one then eagled the last to finish eight strokes ahead of Ireland’s
Mark McNulty.
“I’m so happy to win,” said Thaworn, a stalwart of the Asian golf scene for more than three decades. “To win on my first year in the Senior Tour is fantastic. There are so many good players here.
“My tee shots were great all week and that really helped me win here. I felt really comfortable on this golf course, it reminded me of playing in Thailand.”
Thaworn’s final score of 23-under is the lowest ever at the MCB Tour Championship, and his final round 62 is also the lowest carded at this event, matched by Swede
Jarmo Sandelin earlier in the round. The Thai carded 24 birdies and an eagle during his rounds of 66-65-62.
Senior Major winner McNulty carded a final round of 67 to take solo second place, his second runner-up finish on the Senior Tour this season.
Fowler and
Miguel Angel Martín shared third place on 11-under, one stroke ahead of
Clark Dennis and
Esteban Toledo in fifth place.
At the prize-giving ceremony, Dennis was awarded the John Jacobs Trophy for finishing at the top of the Senior Tour Order of Merit. The American recorded his seventh top-five finish in 14 starts during his rookie year on the Senior Tour – he will also receive the 2017 Rookie of the Year Award.
“This year couldn’t have ended any better,” said Dennis. “To be the first American to win the John Jacobs Trophy feels fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“Mauritius is an incredible place, anybody who has an opportunity to come here really should. This is a wonderful resort and I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to play this event.”
