Golf: DJ Russell lands his biggest prize in Japan

ARCHERFIELD Links professional DJ Russell won the biggest prize fund of his career after claiming the Fuji Film Senior Championship on the PGA of Japan Seniors Tour.

The Englishman travelled to the final tournament of the Japanese Senior season, won by Ian Woosnam in 2009, on an exemption for European Senior Tour players and it turned out to be a successful and lucrative venture as he walked away with more than €120,000 and a Mercedes Benz car.

Russell’s win came courtesy of a final round of 68, after his opening round of 67 was followed by a 70, and he finished on 11-under-par, two shots clear of Jong-Duck Kim, while the Senior Tour’s reigning John Jacobs Trophy champion Boonchu Ruangkit finished tied for 24th place.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Russell, who designed both courses at Archerfield Links. “It’s really nice to win, especially with it being the biggest prize fund of my career, it’s a real boost. It was a great gesture from the PGA Tour of Japan to give an exemption to European Senior Tour players.”