IAN WOOSNAM just failed to make it a triumphant homecoming when he had to settle for second place in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open at Conwy on Sunday (June 15).
He was beaten by two shots by Englishman Peter Mitchell, but had chances to get on level terms in the closing stages.
He missed a short birdie putt at the 12th which would have put him level with Mitchell at that stage, and also missed birdie putts at 15th, 17th and 18th, while dropping a shot on the 16th after pulling his drive.
"I just didn't hole any putts out there at all," he admitted afterwards after carding a one over par final round 73.
"The bogey at 16 cost me, but I played 17 and 18 pretty well but just couldn't hole the putts for birdies."
But he added: "It has been great coming back to Conwy. The weather has been fantastic, the crowds have been great and the course has played really well. Its a great tribute to North Wales to host such a great event."
Record crowds attended the final day making it one of the best attended events in the European Seniors Tour history and the course proved a real test for some of the world's greatest golfers, with only Mitchell and Woosnam finishing under par.
Mitchell finished -3 with a three round total of 213 after a closing round 71, while Woosnam was second on -1 (215) and American Jerry Bruner third on +2 (218) after carding the best round of the final day with a four under par 68.
Sandy Lyle started the day in contention, but fell away on the back nine to finish +5 with a final round 76.
After picking up the £75,000 winner's cheque, Kent-based Mitchell said: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of this week. It’s still not quite sunk in that I’ve won. It was a fantastic golf course to play. It was in great condition and you had to play well around here.”

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