David Drysdale has received the Vattanac Legends Championship after a nail-biting ultimate spherical in Cambodia, capturing an impressive closing 66 to assert an emotional first win on the Legends Tour.
English duo Peter Baker and Anthony Wall each completed a shot again at -11, with Andrew Marshall and in a single day chief Phillip Archer at -10 on a day of low scoring on the Sir Nick Faldo-designed Vattanac Golf Resort.
South Africa’s Keith Horne – a winner on the Reignwood Legends Championship in July – led with six to play however was compelled to accept a share of sixth place, alongside first-round chief Greg Owen.
For Drysdale it was a special occasion. An excellent birdie on the final acquired him into the clubhouse at -12, one forward of Wall who had simply set the goal at -11. The Scot then needed to endure a nerve-wracking wait to see if his 19-year anticipate a win – spanning 576 DP World Tour and 14 Legends Tour occasions – was at an finish.
“Vattanac Legends Championship winner sounds incredible,” stated Drysdale. “It’s been a very long time coming, but it surely feels superb. I performed nice in the present day and I’m delighted to get it achieved. I felt fairly calm and was simply attempting to remain targeted and hit one good shot after one other.
“I didn’t get off to an important begin, however then I discovered my rhythm and hit some huge pictures into the par-fives on the again 9. The one on 13 was big for me. I hit an important drive and had a very good quantity, so hit 3-hybrid proper at it – left me about an eight-footer for eagle which I holed. And the one into 18 is the kind of shot you dream of hitting. Virtually made a 3 however delighted with a 4 to complete.”
Having carded -12, Drysdale then needed to endure the prospect of both Peter Baker or Phillip Archer eagling the final to power a play-off. “It’s been a troublesome half-hour,” he stated, after neither was in a position to make the three wanted to disclaim him victory. “For those who get a very good drive away an eagle is certainly attainable so it was a little bit of nervous wait. I’m glad it’s throughout. It means the world to me. I had a few probabilities to win, had a pair the place guys robbed me for those who like – this can go an extended strategy to make up for that.”
With the lead altering arms a number of occasions over the course of the afternoon, spectators in Phnom Penh had been handled to a spectacular end on the Vattanac Golf Resort with the Marshall, Horne and former Ryder Cup participant Jarmo Sandelin forcing their strategy to the highest of a fluctuating leaderboard earlier than Wall and Drysdale made decisive strikes.
Wall particularly made an important surge on the again, eagling the par-four eleventh after driving the inexperienced and including two additional birdies coming in. “It was a full dedication driver – it ran to about 5 toes and I holed it, in order that was nice,” stated Wall afterwards.
“The previous few holes are laborious, mentally fairly troublesome, and I performed them actually solidly. I felt like I wanted a 3 on the final, and I’m delighted that I used to be in a position to hit my finest drive and a hybrid that pitched 15ft from the flag. Sadly it ran by means of and left a troublesome chip to gap. But it surely was an important day and generally is the best way it’s – I’m happy with my efficiency. I’m so happy for David – he’s a diamond and he deserves to win. It’s been so lengthy. I keep in mind the play-off in Qatar and he was so unfortunate. Honest play to him, I’m delighted for him.”
Earlier within the day, former Ryder Cup participant Niclas Fasth additionally loved a second to keep in mind – a hole-in-one on the fifteenth gap. “It was a 4-iron from 197 yards, hit it completely and was actually blissful when it dropped,” stated Fasth. “I feel it’s my eleventh ace and it’s at all times pretty when it occurs!”
In a novel extension of the Tour’s first Cambodian chapter, there might be back-to-back Legends Tour occasions at Vattanac Golf Resort, as play strikes from the East to West Course for the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Version.
