Oakley holds on for shock Senior win

PETE OAKLEY joined the growing army of surprise winners in golf’s major tournaments as the American held on for a tense victory in the £1 million Senior British Open at Royal Portrush.

Following swiftly on the heels of compatriot Todd Hamilton’s triumph in the Open at Royal Troon the previous weekend, the 55-year-old from Delaware lifted the over-50s equivalent on the Antrim coast with a final round two-under-par 70 for a four-under aggregate of 284 and a slender one-shot win over former US Open champion Tom Kite and Seniors Tour rookie Eduardo Romero.

The unheralded Oakley, who only secured his place in the starting line-up by progressing past the pre-qualifying round last Tuesday, had been three shots ahead with three holes to play. But when Romero and Kite, playing in the match in front, both birdied the 17th, Oakley bogeyed the 16th to have his advantage cut to a stroke.