Guillermo Encina put the heartache of losing a play-off last week firmly behind him when he carded a scintillating six under par 66 to claim his first European Seniors Tour title at the Irvine Whitlock Seniors Classic at La Moye Golf Club in Jersey.
The Chilean needed only to par the last hole to win the title in Ireland but conspired to hit his ball into the water on the last and then lose out to Sam Torrance in a sudden-death play-off. However, this time there was no such mistake as he recorded six birdies and an eagle on the 478 yard par five eighth to finish three shots clear of New Zealand’s Simon Owen and Americans, Rex Caldwell and Alan Tapie, on seven under par 209.
Last year’s runner-up, David J. Russell, returned a two under par 70 to share fifth place with overnight leader, Bob Cameron, while defending champion Torrance, bidding to win his third consecutive Seniors Tour title, came up just short, finishing in a tie for seventh place with England’s Kevin Spurgeon, Australia’s Stewart Ginn, South Africa’s Bertus Smit and Scotland’s John Chillas on two under par 214.
Torrance, who putted moderatly for his final round of 69, paid tribute to Encina’s achievement. “I’m delighted for Guillermo, he’s a lovely man,” said the former Ryder Cup Captain. “After what happened last week, it is a great achievement for him to bounce back this way. He deserves all the credit he gets.”
An emotional Encina confirmed that winning in Jersey was one of the finest moments of his golfing life. After collecting a winner’s cheque for £18,036 (€26,285) he said: “I’ve been playing this Tour for five years now, so finally to get a win means a lot to me.
“Last week was a bit of a blow. But I only hit one bad shot, the rest of the time I played very well so, it didn’t affect my confidence.
Encina started the day two shots behind the overnight leader, Bob Cameron, but quickly made up ground with a birdie on the 514 yard par five second and his eagle on the sixth. He did drop at shot at the seventh but three consecutive birdies from the eighth, plus further birdies on the 12th and 15th, sealed his maiden win.
Torrance, who started the day four behind the leaders, just as he did in Ireland, also got off to a great start when he birdied the second, fourth and sixth. He dropped a shot at the treacherous 401 yard par four ninth, bounced back with birdies at the tenth and 11th but lost his last realistic chance of victory when he bogeyed the 395 yard par four 13th.
“All week long, I’ve struggled on the greens and today was no different,” said the Scot. “It’s a shame because I would love have defended my title and extended the winning streak to three, but it just wasn’t to be. It’s Guillermo’s turn, and I’ve got to say he deserves it after the sort of last round he played.”
The biggest move of the day came from Argentina’s Horacio Carbonetti was started the final round languishing in a share of 55th place but jumped up 34 places with a six under par 66.
The elder of the two Carbonetti brothers who play on the European Seniors Tour began the day with three birdies on his first three holes and then also gained shots at the 478 yard par five sixth and the 375 yard par four seventh to go out in five under par 31. He also birdied the 495 yard par five 11th and then finished with seven par figures to share with Encina the low round of the week.
Rex Caldwell’s tie for second was his best finish on the European Seniors Tour and confirmed his place in the FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open at the Vale Hotel Golf and Spa Resort.
