Miracle comeback as Broadhurst wins Senior Open

Fantastic work Paul Broadhurst. Three years ago he was going nowhere, filling time by playing low key local pro ams and seriously considering getting a 'proper job'. Yesterday he defied all the odds and mastered the most difficult course on the Open rota to win his first major championship.

Hang on, we've taken a detour to St Andrews..

Ex-Ryder Cup star Broadhurst, 50, started the last round at Carnoustie four shots behind overnight leader Jimenez. But he led the Spaniard by a shot heading down the 18th and parred it for a round of 68 as Jimenez (who finished the Open in 18th place last   week in Troon) had a double bogey which dropped him to joint-third.

"It's incredible to be honest," said a frankly stunned looking Broadhurst as he clutched the trophy. "I never dreamed this would ever happen. It is seriously beyond my wildest dreams. It hasn't really sunk in yet."

"Sniff, sniff.. I said I wouldn't... sniff.. cry..."

Broadhurst's last events on the main European Tour were in 2012. He has spent the last few years playing PGA Midlands tournaments, mostly Pro-Ams.

"I had a decision to make; either stop playing and perhaps go into teaching or find a job - I was only 45-46," he explained.

"But I decided I wanted to carry on playing. I was working with Tim Rouse, the pro at Northants County Golf Club, and he has turned my game around really. That was my remit when we first met - 'I want to be playing well when I get to 50 - we have got three years to sort my game out'. So a massive thank-you to him. Without his help, this wouldn't have happened."

"Izzz good forrr dyyyou,... iz not quite so verrryy good forrr meee"

Broadhurst, whose best Open finish is a tie for 12th in both 1990, when he shot a joint-Open record of 63 at St Andrews, and 2007 at Carnoustie, now qualifies for next year's 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

He has also secured an exemption for next year's lucrative Champions Tour, where he has already won a tournament to accompany six previous wins on the European Tour and two on the European Seniors Tour.

Lesson for us all here. Never give up, you never know what's round the corner.

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