England’s Carl Mason held off compatriot Nick Job to win the AIB Irish Seniors Open and reclaim the number one position on the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit.
Mason stamped his authority on the Seniors Tour once again by closing with a three under par 69 to beat Job by one stroke at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.
The result continued Mason’s remarkable run since he joined the Seniors Tour in July last year. It was his sixth victory and put him back on course to defend the Order of Merit title he claimed by winning his final three events of 2003.
“It doesn’t get any easier, I don’t care what anyone says. It’s always tough but that is how it is supposed to be I guess, but yeah I am thrilled to win,” said Mason, who also claimed the season opening Tobago Plantations Seniors Classic.
“I actually played properly again after missing the cut in last week’s US Senior PGA. I didn’t’ feel great on the greens today I missed a couple of putts, had a couple of three putts. I was delighted with the way I played,” said the Englishman, who finished with a three round total of 10 under par 206.
Mason overtook Australian Terry Gale on the Order of Merit list as the first place cheque for €49,500 (£32,991) took his season earnings to €104,549 (£69,682). Gale finished in a tie for 18th position and is second on the Merit list with winnings of €67,178 (£44,774).
“I was just trying to put together a score. I said yesterday that I thought 10 or 11 under was the target so that was my target. It became more like match play over the last couple of holes. I am really chuffed,” added Mason, who turns 51 at the end of June.
Mason was tied with playing partner Job at the turn but pulled away with three consecutive birdies from the 12th to go two ahead.
Job, looking for his first win in over two years, did not give up the chase and closed the gap to one after a birdie on the 17th.
Job had a great chance to force a sudden-death play-off on the par five 18th hole but his nine foot birdie putt just missed. He closed with a 70. Mason did well to two putt from 25 feet.
Defending champion Noel Ratcliffe from Australia, who had started the day in a tie for the lead with Mason and Job, shared third place with Frenchman Gery Watine. They finished four adrift of Job.
Ratcliffe had a poor front nine of five over par 41 but clawed his way back and posted a 74. Watine came in with a 69.
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