AUSTRALIA'S Graham Marsh captured the first major title in his 28-year golfing career yesterday, winning the US Senior Open by one stroke at Olympia Fields, Illinois.
Marsh and his playing partner, friend John Bland of South Africa, were level coming to the final hole. Marsh parred and Bland made bogey to decide the $1.2 million event.
Marsh overcame a final-round 74, four-over par, that included seven bogeys to win with a 72-hole total of even-par 280. Marsh birdied the 17th along with Bland to stay even and set up the dramatic finish.
Marsh is the first player in six years to win the US Senior Open without breaking par. The $232,500 first prize was the largest of Marsh's career and moved him from seventh place to third on the Senior Tour money list with $819,226.
Bland was second at 281 after a final-round 73; Americans Gil Morgan and Tom Wargo tied for third at 282, while Hale Irwin and Jack Nicklaus had their best rounds of the event to finish in a five-way tie for fifth at 284.
Irwin, the tour money leader, fired a 67 - the best round of the day - while Nicklaus, a two-time champion, had a 69. Hugh Baiocchi, Leonard Thompson and Dave Eichelberger also were four strokes behind Marsh.
