Vaughan wins Senior Open play-off
FINAL-ROUND LEADERBOARD (US unless stated)-6 B Vaughan, J Cook - Vaughan won at first play-off hole-5 E Romero (Arg) -4 B Langer (Ger) Selected others: -2 T Watson, G Norman (Aus) +4 I Woosnam (Wal) +5 M James (Eng)
Vaughan has won on the Nationwide Tour but not on the PGA
Former fireman Bruce Vaughan calmly holed a 20-foot putt to beat fellow American John Cook in a play-off for the Senior Open at Royal Troon.
Cook had a one-stroke lead going into the 18th hole of the final round but a bogey five led to Vaughan's reprieve.
"Money is great but until you win, you're just another player," he said after winning his first senior title.
Eduardo Romero finished one shot back, Bernhard Langer came fourth and Greg Norman and Tom Watson were joint fifth.
Romero had a chance to make the play-off but he missed an eight-foot putt at the 18th, leaving Cook and Vaughan in the share of the lead on six under.
Both players found the green with their tee shots in the sudden death play-off but while Vaughan holed out, Cook missed from 12 foot.
It proved to be a heartbreaking day for Cook, who looked to be cruising to the title when he took a three-shot lead after 10 holes.
But a double bogey at the 11th put him in trouble before his nightmare at the 18th.
The 50-year-old, who missed a short putt at the 1992 Open to lose out on the title to Nick Faldo, defended his decision to putt from at least 10 yards short of the green.
"I just felt the putter was a better play and I've been doing that all week," he said.
Cook added: "I tried to convince myself for the last two-and-a-half hours but I couldn't get it done.
"Bruce played his heart out. He battled yesterday and battled through the first nine today. You know, that's just the way it is."
Norman, 53, came into the tournament having come close to becoming the oldest winner of the Open at Royal Birkdale last week.
He finished four shots off the lead at Troon after a final-round 68 saw him finish on two under.
"I enjoyed (the two weeks) on a scale of 1 to 10, a 10," said the Australian.
"I enjoyed every step, loved it. From a scoring perspective, I haven't enjoyed that. I've played a lot better than what my scores indicated and just didn't work out."
Ian Woosnam finished four over and Mark James five over.


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