Miguel Angel Jiménez was denied a Senior Major Championship as American Gene Sauers birdied the final hole to claim a one shot victory at the US Senior Open Championship.
Less than a month after finishing tied for third at the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, behind eventual winner Paul Broadhurst, the Spaniard went into the final round at Scioto Country Club with a one shot lead over Sauers.
Heavy rain on Sunday saw the final round suspended as the greenkeepers in Columbus, Ohio worked around the clock to ensure play would be completed on Monday.
Jiménez carded a double bogey on the par four second hole but recovered with a gain on the third hole. After three more birdies, Jiménez regained the lead on the 15th hole but a bogey on the 17th hole, as Sauers made par, saw the pair head down the 18th hole all-square on three under par.
Both made the green in three shots, but Jiménez’ third shot from the bunker rolled just past the hole, setting up a ten-foot putt to make par which he pushed to the right.
Sauers held his nerve from six feet to finish his round one under par, one shot ahead of both Jiménez and Billy Mayfair who tied for second.
The 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam, who was grouped with Jiménez and Sauers on the final day, carded a two under par round to finish fourth with an aggregate total of one under par.
Former European Ryder Cup Captains Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie finished in a share of 11th place on three over par, and fellow European Senior Tour members Paul Broadhurst, Peter Fowler and Miguel Angel Martin finished tied for 37th.
