Paul
2015 was a stellar year for Paul as he won on his European Senior Tour debut at the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open at Archerfield on route to claiming the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year title on the European Senior Tour.
However 2016 got even better, in July, playing at Carnoustie in Scotland, Paul, playing in his debut Senior Open, headed into the final round alongside Miguel Angel Jimenez, chasing the Spaniard down. The turning point on the whole event came at the 10th hole where a two shot swing due to Paul’s birdie and Miguel’s double bogey after visiting the water, gave Paul the upper hand. Yet it still wasn’t plain sailing for the Englishman who still had to make birdies at 13 and 15 to get to a total of 11 under par and into a tie for 1st with Scott McCarron.
Whilst Paul held his nerve to make par at the final three holes, Scott could only complete the same holes in two over par which left the door open for Paul and he duly obliged hitting imperious shots to complete the victory and earn his first major tournament victory and his playing privileges on the PGA Champions Tour for 2016 and 2017.
Backing up this victory Paul also won the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach on the Champions Tour in only his fourth start and with it won the Order of Merit on the European Senior Tour and was voted by the players as Rookie of the Year on the PGA Champions Tour, quite a year.
2017 now sees Paul return to Royal Porthcawl Golf Club with a view to defend his Senior Open Championship victory from the 27th July.
To follow the live scoring from Royal Porthcawl please follow this link to the European Senior Tour website – www.europeantour.com/en/seniortour/
Congratulations again to Paul for a stellar 2016 season and best wishes to him for his defence in 2017.