Steve Webster claimed a maiden Legends Tour victory at the Grass & Co. English Legends hosted by Roger Chapman, winning by two shots after a tense final round at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire.
The Englishman, playing in only his seventh Legends Tour event since turning 50 earlier in the year, carded a closing level-par 73 to post a 12-under total and edge out South Africa’s Keith Horne and Welshman Bradley Dredge by two shots.
Speaking afterwards, an emotional Webster struggled to make sense of a tumultuous final round. “I just can’t explain it. I was cruising, and then I didn’t even feel like I could play golf for two holes, and then I’m cruising again, and then it felt like I was a 30-handicapper, then I hit a good shot, and then I hit a terrible one, and it was just such a roller coaster out there. That’s the hardest day’s golf I’ve ever played.
“I made it really tricky for myself. I played great the first two days, but your mind wanders a little bit when you get five or six clear. So if Tiger or Rory are watching, I need to know how to front-run a little bit better. I can’t believe I got over the line in the end.
With Webster faltering on the back nine, the door was ajar for the chasing pack to capitalise, but neither Horne or Thomas Gogele – both winners on the Legends Tour – were able to exert pressure. Horne eagled 10 to get to -12, but then handed both shots back over the next two holes and didn’t manage another birdie to the house. Gogele, playing alongside Webster, then missed a raft of chances as his putter went cold down the stretch, failing to convert a number of excellent opportunities and falling to tied fifth in the end.
Dredge meanwhile, having finished earlier in the day, would have been wondering if -10 might be enough after his magnificent nine-under-par 64. “I was disappointed with my scores the first two rounds, but my swing felt better, and I had high hopes for today,” said Dredge. “I made a great start, was hitting it close and rolling in the putts – but the only disappointment is not managing a birdie on 16, 17 or 18. I was looking forward to this one and Ireland next week and hopefully this will be a good end to the season for me.”
Elsewhere the top 10 also included Peter Baker, whose birdie at the last was enough for a 72 and sole fourth, while former European No.1 Colin Montgomerie rolled back the years to finish tied fifth, with the 62-year-old Scot closing with a 70 to fend the week on 8 under.
Tournament host Roger Chapman enjoyed a final walk down the fairway as the 66-year-old Englishman signed off his 44-year-playing career in emotional fashion.
“It’s been an amazing week, and I’m so moved by the reception I’ve received from everybody – from my fellow players to the Legends Tour and everybody connected with this event,” said Chapman, who won once on the European Tour back in 2000, but secured two senior major championships in 2012. “I’m looking forward to retirement and won’t miss the grind of professional golf. But it’s been an amazing career, and one that I’d never dreamed I’d have when I first turned pro.”