Pete Fowler ends long wait for win in Senior Masters event

Peter Fowler ended a two-year wait for a maiden European Senior Tour title and gave himself an early birthday present with a three-stroke victory in the ISPS Handa Senior Masters yesterday.

The Australian marks his 52nd birthday on Thursday and will have double cause for celebration after carding a final round 70 to finish on ten-under-par 209 for the tournament, holding off a determined challenge from Scotland's Andrew Oldcorn,

Fowler posting a second consecutive bogey-free round at Stapleford Park in Melton Mowbray to secure the title.

"I've been trying to win again for the last 18 years so this is a great feeling," said Fowler, who won the 1993 BMW International Open on The European Tour.

"I've been trying to beat these guys for years now and I've finally got one up on them. I played with Andrew Oldcorn and Michael Harwood for the final two rounds and they are two class players so it was hard work to stay in front.

"When I had back surgery two years ago I didn't know if I would even play Tour golf again so this victory means a lot."

Fowler had started the day with a one-stroke lead over Oldcorn and fellow Australian Harwood and Oldcorn initially applied some pressure with a birdie on the second but back-to-back bogeys on the third and fourth saw the 2001 PGA Champion falter and, although he fought back strongly with birdies on the 15th and 16th, a bogey on the last for a 72 meant he had to settle for his second runner-up finish on the Senior Tour.

Harwood endured a frustrating final round, signing for a six over par round of 79 to finish in ninth place, ten shots behind his compatriot.

Mark Mouland of Wales carded the joint best round of the day, a 69, to finish third on five under par.