The veteran Queensland golfer Peter Senior was cherishing his sweetest triumph last night after holding his nerve in near impossible conditions at the Lakes course in Sydney to become the oldest winner of the Australian Open.
With his teenage son Mitch as his caddie, 53-year-old Senior posted an even par 72 to win his 30th professional title by one stroke from fellow Australian Brendan Jones .
England's world number four Justin Rose faded to finish in a tie for fourth.
Aucklander Michael Hendry was one of only six players to break on the final day, continuing his great year with a tie for seventh place, four shots behind the winner.
But John Senden, who'd led for the first three days, blew up with a final round of 82, to finish joint 18th.
Play had been suspended just before noon for three hours after the fierce winds knocked down a television tower near the 18th green, and scoreboards toppled over.
