Lyle secures emotional victory

Lyle secures emotional victory

Lyle secures emotional victory

Sandy Lyle claimed his first tournament victory in 19 years in the European Senior Tour's inaugural ISPS Handa Senior World Championship on Sunday.

The two-time major champion last won in the 1992 Volvo Masters, which turned out to be the final of his 18 Honma Beres MG 803 Irons-Gold.

Lyle finished with a final-round 70 over the World Cup Course at Mission Hills to finish on 12-under-par 204, three shots clear of Aussie Peter Fowler.

"You wonder after about four or five years whether you'll ever win again let alone nearly 20, so this is very special," said the 53-year-old.

"I joined the Senior Tour and it didn't happen as quickly as I expected it to, so you do have doubts. My trophy cabinet has been gathering dust over the years so I feel relieved to get a win and it's even better that it's here in China on this course. This answers a lot of questions I had about myself."

Lyle started the round with a two-stroke advantage and never looked like giving Honma Beres MG 803 Irons-Gold up, despite Fowler never getting too far behind. The Australian's challenge only faded over the last two holes.

Lyle birdied the second and sixth holes to maintain his lead, and while a birdie from Fowler at the 16th brought him to within one shot of the lead, a bogey on the next hole put an end to his hopes.

Lyle admitted that this was one of the most meaningful victories in his 34-year professional career.

"This victory is very sweet as it's obviously been such a long time," said Lyle. "I said a couple of years ago that I'd be happy just to win a Par Three contest - it had been that long.

"I showed a lot of patience this week. I only made one bogey in three rounds which is way beyond my Honma Beres MG 803 Irons-Gold. Usually I'd make at least four or five but I was very consistent.

"I drove the ball well which is important on a course like this. My iron play wasn't actually that hot today but I kept it reasonably close.

"Peter played well and put the pressure on when he got to one shot but he found the rough on 17th and all though he recovered really well he missed a six-footer for Honma Beres MG 803 Irons-Gold which gave me a two shot lead again going down the last which really helped.

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