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MARKUS BRIER CLAIMS FARMFOODS EUROPEAN SENIOR MASTERS VICTORY

2x European Tour winner Markus Brier has claimed this year’s Farmfoods European Senior Masters title.

The Austrian, who has finished runner-up in this event on his last two starts, posted a three over par round of 75 to finish on a five under par total, two shots clear of Argentina’s Rafael Gomez.

The 53-year-old was overjoyed to get the job done after admitting he felt the pressure on the final day at Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club. 
“It feels amazing,” he said. “It was such a battle and I couldn’t remember how difficult it was to actually win. I played very good for nine holes today but then I began to actually think too much and then I made a few bogeys which meant it was difficult at the end but I am so happy.
“I made a little mistake at the ninth, a three-putt on ten and suddenly the pressure creeped in and I kept making bad swings and bogeys. Rafael just kept going but fortunately he made a bogey on 16, which gave me a bit of breathing space but the back nine was certainly not easy.”

Brier, who had to complete 12 holes of his second round, which meant the Austrian played 30 holes on day three, believed he reaped the rewards of the work he has put into the mental side of his game in recent years.
“I had to take a few deep breaths and think about what I have been doing the last 20 years on the mental side of my game,” he continued. “That definitely helped me hit some good shots when it mattered, especially my short game.”

Brier now heads to his native Austria as a Legends Tour winner for the Riegler & Partner Legends at Golf Club Murhof, where he is hoping to replicate this week’s success.

1999 Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie and 11-time Sunshine Tour winner James Kingston shared third place on two under par, while Englishman Gary Marks and Clark Dennis finished fifth on one under par.

Meanwhile, wet and blustery conditions almost threatened to throw the Alliance competition off course during the mid-part of the Farmfood’s sponsored tournament.

With day two rained off, pro Gary Monks and amateur Richard Anderson managed to secure victory through their day one score. Tied at -9 with pro, Clark Dennis and amateur, Scott Read, Monks and Anderson managed to win on countback.

Commenting on their win, Gary said:

“We had a great first day, we dovetailed well, I made five or six birdies, and whenever I was in trouble, Richard was there, so we came out on top.”

Speaking on the experience of teaming up with Gary, Richard said:

“It’s more challenging, because you’ve got to try and build a score, but you can learn by watching them [the pros] selecting their clubs, matching their tempo, it’s a wonderful learning experience.

“As an amateur I’d wholeheartedly recommend playing an event such as this, it sharpens your game and it’s good fun.”

The Farmfoods European Senior Masters will return next year for another thrilling four-days of action. For earlybird sponsorship and playing opportunity information, visit https://europeanseniormasters.com/application/index/contact-us.