Thaworn goes fourth - and triumphs in Sharjah playoff
Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant has beaten Clark Dennis and Peter Fowler in a four-hole playoff at the Sharjah Senior Golf Masters to win back-to-back Staysure Tour titles in the first event of the 2018 season.
Winner of the 2017 season-ending MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius, 51-year-old Thaworn made par on the 18th at the fourth attempt and in doing so beat Dennis, who had kept pace with him for three extra holes at the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.
Fowler was knocked out of the playoff after a bogey on the first extra hole, leaving Dennis and Wiratchant to do battle under floodlights as darkness fell.
“It was really difficult out there today,” said Thaworn. “The first day was easier because I played in the morning and the greens weren’t as hard. The pin positions were tough today.”
The 18-time Asian Tour winner is playing less on the continental tour to focus more on the senior tour.
“I had to be so patient during the playoff. It was tough playing the 18th four times. I have never played in the dark before. It was tough to adjust and not lose concentration. I am so happy to win my second Staysure Tour title. I want to be consistent and have a really good year," said Thaworn, who became the Asian Tour’s No 1 player in 2005 and 2012 and was 51,000 euros richer for Saturday’s success.
