Gordon comes close to first title win

Published on Monday 25 August 2008 10:55

GORDON BRAND JNR was pipped to a debut victory on the European Seniors Tour last night when he lost in an epic play-off at the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors championship at Slaley Hall.

The 50-year-old Scot went down at the sixth extra hole against English namesake Gordon Brand after both players had finished with four-over aggregates of 292.

Kirkcaldy-born Brand Jnr, playing in the sixth last match, had pushed himself into the title hunt with a closing two-under 70, and the former Ryder Cup player found himself in a sudden-death shoot-out when Brand spilled a shot on the final green.

After five attempts up the 18th failed to produce a winner, the duo moved to the short 17th and it was Scotsman Brand Jnr who suffered as he flew through the green from the tee and could only muster a triple-bogey six. That handed Brand his fourth European Seniors Tour win and a cheque for 50,000 while Brand Jnr picked up a consolation prize of nearly 32,000.

Sam Torrance, who won the PGA Seniors title in 2005 and 2006, celebrated his 55th birthday in style by firing a tournament-best 67 to surge up into a share of third with a 292.

The former European Ryder Cup skipper bounced back from a bogey on his opening hole to reel off six birdies as he claimed his highest placing of the season.

Glenbervie's John Chillas closed with a 73 for 294 and tied for sixth with former Scottish champion Ross Drummond, who shared the lead at halfway but fell away with weekend rounds of 76 and 74.

Scottish duo Bill McColl and Bill Longmuir came in on the 304 mark, while Martin Gray (306) and Steve Martin (310) also finished well down the field.