Carl Mason carved his name into the record books today by completing a hat-trick of victories in the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship at Slaley Hall.
And the overnight leader could even afford the luxury of a double-bogey on the last with his three-under-par 69 enough to secure a three stroke victory over South America's Angel Franco and South Africa's Christopher Williams.
The 56-year-old's nine under par total of 272 also gave him his 21st European Senior Tour title and moved him within two of Tommy Horton's record haul on the senior circuit.
Mason, who had earlier rounds of 73,70, 67, becomes just the fourth man in the event's 53-year history to win three or more times behind the legendary Christy O'Connor (a six time winner), Neil Coles (four) and Kel Nagle (three). His other PGA titles came in 2004 and 2007.
The all-time money winner on the Senior Circuit with earnings of more than £1.25million, pocketed another £40,000 in seamless fashion with seven birdies - his card marred only by two double-bogeys on the fifth and 18th holes.
And Mason, who has not won since the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in Switzeland last year, admitted it was a 'sweet' feeling to return to the winner's rostrum.
"All wins are sweet, they all take some doing and I was pleased with the way I played," he said. "I played great today and hit two bad shots and took double bogeys off them.
"Apart from that I played steady as a rock. I had that winning mode, I like that feeling again - it's good.
"It's great to win three PGA titles - it's a good event to win, especially a four rounder."
"I need a confidence booster, my mom keeps telling me that, but if I get my confidence going I usually get on a good run. It's a shame we're not playing next week."
Mason admits the victory has spurred him on to reclaim the Order of Merit title from Ian Woosnam - and his fourth in total since joining the Senior circuit in 2003.
"It's a target to go at, I just want to go out and play some good golf, and if I do that I will run pretty close," he said.
The final round began with the now seemingly inevitable fog delay at the Northumberland resort, wiping out the morning's play and forcing tournament officials to send the players out with a shotgun start at 12:15pm.
But as the mist lifted the players made light of the delay with some excellent scoring including a 67 from Ireland's Des Smyth but Mason never looked under threat as challenges from Williams, Franco and Gordon Brand Junior faded away. Brand Junior finished tied fourth alongside Nick Job at five under par.
PGA Cup player George Ryall maintained his form with a 69 and a share of 10th place alongside Ian Woosnam who also had a 69. More importantly it earned The Players Club teaching pro entry to the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in Switzerland in August.
"I was trying to get a top 10 finish, all I wanted to do was get that so I could keep playing," he said.
"It gives me confidence. I played with Woosnam yesterday and Rocca today and it doesn't get any better. Woosie is a different league but I competed."
28 June, 2009