Phillip Price has expressed his relief at proving himself Europe’s leading senior golfer.
The Welshman crowned himself the 2019 Staysure Tour Order of Merit winner last weekend by finishing tied for third place at the MCB Tour Championship in Mauritius.
That kept Price at the top of the pile for the season-long challenge of the order of merit award for the Staysure Tour, formerly known as the European senior tour for golfers aged over 50.
“It’s a massive relief and I’m delighted to be Staysure Tour No. 1,” added the Pontypridd-born former Ryder Cup hero.
“I needed to play quite well. I managed to make quite a few birdies early on and kept a buffer between myself and the players outside the top 10. It was nice to birdie the last and celebrate. It always nice to make a nice putt and punch the air, realising I’m No. 1.”
Price was the most consistent player during the year. Last year the Welshman finished second on the season-long rankings behind two-time John Jacobs Trophy winner Paul Broadhurst.
But the 53-year-old went one better in 2019 to win the trophy – finishing 361.6 points ahead of South African James Kingston in second place.
“To be No. 1 after 19 tournaments is really important to me,” added Price.
“I’ve never won an Order of Merit of any type. I wanted to be number one, not number two or three, so I’m delighted.
“I finished second last year to Paul Broadhurst, which was nice – but it didn’t feel great. But to be No. 1 and have the trophy is extra special.
“Coming into the final three weeks I was leading the Staysure Tour Order of Merit, but I knew there were a lot of points to play for at the events.
“Barry Lane won (Madagascar), then Peter Fowler won (Seychelles), and James Kingston was leading after 36 holes this week and he could’ve passed me if I hadn’t finished inside the top 10.”
Price, who famously beat Phil Mickelson in the Sunday singles at The Belfry 17 years ago to help Europe defeat the USA in the Ryder Cup, won the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship in Kent in August – one of 12 top 10 finishes during the year.