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Senior rallies to win Champions Q School

Fri 20th, November 2009

Scottsdale, AZ (Sports Network) - Australia's Peter Senior rallied to win the Champions Tour National Qualifying Tournament on Friday, making five birdies over his last nine holes for a five-under 66 in the final round.

Senior finished at 17-under 267 for a three-shot win at the TPC Scottsdale, leading a group of five players who earned fully-exempt status on the Champions Tour next season.

"Getting in here has been an unbelievable thing," Senior said. "I can now set my schedule and I'm excited about playing on the Champions Tour next year."

His victory was made easier by the collapse of two other players.

Steve Haskins carried a four-shot lead into the final round, but played his final three holes at three-over par to finish in a tie for second place with Joe Ozaki and Ronnie Black.

Haskins, who also led after the second round, made a double-bogey at the 16th and a bogey at the 18th to shoot a three-over 74.

Black (70) tied Senior for the lead with a birdie at the 17th hole, but his closing double-bogey at the 18th -- coupled with Senior's hot finish -- also left him three shots back.

Ozaki, an all-time great in his native Japan, made five birdies in a flawless final round and shot a 66 to join Haskins and Black at 14-under 270.

Each of those four players earned a full Champions Tour card for 2010 by finishing in the top five.

Amateur Jim Roy (66) earned the fifth and final full exemption by making a six-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to knock off Bruce Vaughan (69) and Kirk Hanefeld (70). The trio had tied for fifth place at 12-under 272.

Vaughan and Hanefeld -- along with the other players who finished inside the top 12 -- earned conditional status for next season. The top 30 and ties will be eligible to compete for spots in open qualifiers.

Haskins, although he struggled, still had a two-shot lead after he birdied the 15th hole. But he double-bogeyed the 16th to fall into a three-way tie with Senior and Black.

Senior then birdied the 17th to take a one-shot lead. Black joined him when he also birdied the 17th, but Senior responded with a closing birdie at the 18th, which ended up being more than he needed.

He received a $30,000 check for the victory. His five birdies on the back nine came after he double-bogeyed the ninth hole.