Our July cover star Mark Ridley had a week to remember at The Senior Open at St Andrews as he made the cut in the major championship, posting a seven over-par total to finish in a tie for 60th place.
The South Moor-based professional shot rounds of 70, 75, 75 and 75 – including a tap-in birdie on the 18th in the second round to secure his place in the final two rounds.
“I will take away loads of fantastic memories,” said Mark.
“I didn’t feel out of place. At the start I was thinking ‘Oh dear, I’m playing with the big boys’, but I didn’t feel intimidated. Once I got going I was fine.”
Mark teed it up alongside legends of the game each day. He added: “I had a nice chat with Des Smyth and Mark Calcavecchia, and the lads I played with – Duffy Waldorf and Santiago Luna – made me feel at ease.
“The whole thing has been fantastic from start to finish,” added Mark.
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez lifted the trophy with a 12 under-par total as defending champion Bernhard Langer finished in second place on 11 under-par.
Many of the game’s greats were also on the leaderboard including Colin Montgomerie and John Daly as well as Tom Watson, who made his last tournament visit to St Andrews.
Mark went on to tee it up in the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at The London Club the following week – where his six under-par total was good enough for a tie for 32nd place.
Mark shot rounds of 72, 69, 73 and 68 is Ash, Kent to finish 12 shots behind winner Philip Golding – who posted rounds of 72, 67, 68 and 63 for a 270 total.
