Cambridge wins again at age of 59

Posted on 15/06/09. Source: European Tour (By Gordon Simpson)

European Seniors Tour - Jersey Seniors Classic
La Moye GC, Channel Islands
12-14 June 2009

Delroy Cambridge of Jamaica captured his fifth European Senior Tour title - and his first for seven years - as a three hole play-off was required for the second successive week to decide the Jersey Seniors Classic at La Moye.

Cambridge beat Australian Mijke Clayton after getting up and down from a greenside bunker at the third sudden-death play for a par four, while Clayton failed with his own par putt after visiting a different trap.

The powerful 59 year old Jamaican was recording his second victory in Jersey - and he drew on the memories of his previous success in 2002 to help him catch Clayton, who had led since shooting 64 on the opening day.

Cambridge admitted: "I remembered last night that I was five under par going into the final round seven years ago and shot 68 to win. This time I was also five under and I went to sleep believing that another 68 might just do it again. As it turned out, I was right!"

In fact, this time 68 was sufficient to match Clayton's closing 70 and total of 207, nine under par, with Japan's Katsuyoshi Tomori third a further shot behind.

Both players made regulation par fours in the play-off, but ultimately it was Cambridge who delivered the winning blow with his perfect par putt at the third extra hole.

The Jamaican added: "It's great to have won again before turning 60 later in the year. My wife kept telling me that if I got my putting sorted that I would win again. I am glad I listened to her. This was an important victory as I want to play in the Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale next month."

Cambridge opened with a bogey four, but picked up six birdies and one more bogey in his round of 68. Clayton confessed to disappointment over losing out, but is looking forward to another links test in the Ryder Cup Wales Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl on Friday.

Tomori fired a closing 70 to miss the play-off after his ten foot birdie putt a the last hung on the lip, while Kevin Spurgeon of England and Paraguay's Angel Franco shared fourth place on 209.

Local Jersey resident Ian Woosnam has a frustrating final day, shooting 73 for a total of 214 and a tie for 17th place.

Photo source; European Tour.com

Final totals:

207 - D Cambridge (Jam) 69, 70, 68; M Clayton (Aus) 64, 73, 70. Cambridge won at 3rd extra hole.

208 - K Tomori (Jpn) 69, 69, 70
209 - A Franco (Par) 72, 65, 72; K Spurgeon (Eng) 68, 69, 72
210 - R Drummond (Sco) 73, 71, 66; R Chapman (Eng) 68, 75, 67
211 - C Mason (Eng) 73, 68, 70; C Rocca (Ita) 73, 67, 71; D Smyth (Irl) 72, 67, 72; T Johnstone (Zim) 71, 67, 73
212 - B Cameron (Eng) 71, 73, 68; G J Brand (Eng) 74, 68, 70; G Encina (Chi) 68, 73, 71; S Ebihara (Jpn) 73, 68, 71
213 - M Harwood (Aus) 71, 69, 73
214 - H Carbonetti (Arg) 72, 71, 71; I Woosnam (Wal) 70, 71, 73