More major success for Chapman

Last updated: 16th July 2012

England's Roger Chapman won the US Senior Open by two strokes in Michigan on Sunday to join some illustrious company.

The 53-year-old carded a four-under-par 66 final round to become only the fourth player after Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin and Gary Player to win both the US Senior Open and Senior PGA Championship in the same year.

Before this season, Chapman's career highlight was a European Tour win in Brazil in 2000 while he earned a total of £111,000 in 28 seasons. However, he picked up a cheque of more than £320,000 on Sunday to go with the £240,000 he earned for his PGA success in May.

"It's been a huge and fast rise," he said. "Basically, I was sort of a journeyman pro on the European Tour - 25 years, one victory. Loads of seconds, but I was always the journeyman.

"I can't put my finger on why I won at Benton Harbor and why I won here. I'm just more confident in my golf swing.

"[I've] been working with my coach, Gavin Christie. He basically says I'm not high maintenance. You've just got to hit the ball as late as possible. That's all he says to me.

"To be in the company of such great golfers - Jack Nicklaus and Hale Irwin and Gary Player - is a huge, huge honour."

Overnight leader Bernhard Langer finished tied for second at eight under alongside Fred Funk, Tom Lehman and Corey Pavin.

German Langer started the final day with a four-shot lead, but he could only manage a two-over-par to fall out of contention.

"I just didn't feel comfortable with that wind," he said.

"The wind was out of the west today, a totally different golf course. Didn't seem to suit my eye as well as the wind we've had all week from the south. And finally, I hit some really good shots coming home and at least finished tied for second."