Double bogey costs Pierse at Portrush

TIPPERARY’S Arthur Pierse came agonisingly close yesterday to claiming his second British Seniors Open title. The former Walker Cup player was pipped by a stroke at Royal Portrush as he attempted to add to his triumph of 2007.

Pierse finished with a 54-hole aggregate of 215, comprising scores of 73, 72 and 70 — just one stroke behind new champion Chip Lutz.

He was fuming at having double bogeyed the 412-yard 12th in his closing round.