Golf: Byron Bay revels in Legends success
A RECORD number of professionals turned out for the Schweppes Australian Legends Tour event at the Byron Bay Golf Club at the weekend.
There were 76 golfers before John Barrett and Glenn Joyner missed the final round of play on Sunday with some niggling injuries.
It is the ninth time the club has hosted the event, which attracted its largest field of 192 in the pro-am on Friday.
"This was the largest field of professionals and probably the equal strongest we've had since 2012," Byron Bay club captain Peter Sinclair said.
"Our own Matt Crandell continued his stanglehold on the amateur section; he's won it just about every year."
Crandell finished 1-over par and five strokes clear of second-placed amateur Brad Cumming.
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It was the first play-off at the event and the only time Senior has lost in the five times he has played in the tournament.
Meanwhile, a disappointing final round at the Thailand Championship cost Lismore's Sam Brazel a chance to tee up in his first major golf championship.
However, the 36-year-old will take plenty of confidence from his play at the Amata Springs Country Club.
Brazel, who closed with a 5-over round of 77, had been in the hunt all week for one of the four spots available to those finishing inside the top 12 but not otherwise qualified for a place in the 2016 British Open at Royal Troon.
Starting the day in outright seventh after three solid rounds, Brazel was in trouble early with a double bogey, bogey start to make the turn three over.
Another double bogey at the 12th ended his chances.
With a star-studded field on hand, Brazel held his own over the first three days against the likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer.
Rounds of 70-68-68 had him in a good position to claim one of the British Open spots before his Sunday stumble.
LEADERBOARD
Tod Power one-under par total 215
Peter Senior one-under par total 215
Rodger Davis even 216
Richard Backwell one-over 217
Mike Harwood two-over 218
Terry Price two-over 218
Ian Baker-Finch four-over 220
Stephen Herbert five-over 221
David Merriman five-over 221
David Saunders five-over 221
