England’s Richard Finch may have walked away with the trophy but in many ways the Michael Hill New Zealand Open belonged to Sir Bob Charles, the legendary New Zealander who defied his age and rewrote the record books.
On Friday, at the age of 71 years and 261 days, Charles provided the highlight of the tournament when he became the oldest player to make a cut on any of golf’s Major Tours. His second round 68 at The Hills Golf Club - three shots better than his age, which was another record for the statisticians – gave him a one under par total of 143 and ensured he would be the first septuagenarian to compete over a weekend of a European Tour event.
His record surpassed that of the great American Sam Snead, who was 67, two months and 21 days when he survived the halfway cut at the 1979 Manufactures Hanover Westchester Classic on the US PGA Tour, and shattered The European Tour record held by “Himself” Christy O’Connor, of Ireland, who was aged 64 and 184 days when he made the cut in the 1989 Carroll’s Irish Open.
The fact that Charles, who in 1963 became the first left-hander and New Zealander to win a Major Championship when he won The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, went on to match his age in a third round of 71 and then better it again in the final round when he shot a 70 underlined his undoubted class and longevity. His two under par total of 284 put him in a share of 23rd place and he would have been the highest placed New Zealander had he not double-bogeyed the last hole.
Charles had retired from the New Zealand Open in 2004 as he felt that he was too old to compete but was persuaded to tee it up once again and he admitted his performance had prompted a rethink on retirement from his national Open. After all, next year he will be level par 72.
He is certainly still competing on the European Seniors Tour, highlighted by his second place at the Wentworth Senior Masters in August, beating his age with a final round of 70 on the Edinburgh Course at Wentworth Club to finish two strokes behind Ireland Des Smyth.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of The European Seniors Tour, paid tribute to Charles and his remarkable achievement over the weekend. He said: “Sir Bob is a great ambassador for the game and is still as competitive as ever, as we saw when he finished second at Wentworth Club. His performance in New Zealand was phenomenal but no great surprise. Like a fine wine, he just keeps getting better.”
OLDEST PLAYERS TO MAKE THE CUT
EUROPEAN TOUR
PLAYER AGE EVENT
Bob Charles 71 & 261 days 2007 - Michael Hill New Zealand Open
Christy O’Connor 64 & 184 days 1989 - Carroll’s Irish Open
Tommy Aaron 63 & 45 days 2000 - Masters Tournament
Christy O’Connor 61 & 181 days 1986 - Carroll’s Irish Open
Christy O’Connor 60 & 182 days 1985 - Carroll’s Irish Open
Bob Charles 60 & 127 days 1996 - Open Championship
Jack Nicklaus 60 & 77 days 2000 - Masters Tournament
