“That was the finest golf I’ve ever seen.” When those words are uttered by Carl Mason, a man who turned professional over 45 years ago and has 25 Staysure Tour titles to his name, they mean something.
Mason was teeing it up alongside champion in-waiting Paul Streeter in the second round of the Travis Perkins Masters following an opening round of 69 at Woburn Golf Club when he witnessed a truly memorable round.
Streeter, then 51, took a three-shot lead into the second round after an opening round of 66 and went one better on the second day in Buckinghamshire, posting a seven under par 65.
The Lincolnshire man carded an early birdie at the par three third hole before a second gain arrived at the eighth, making the turn in 33 strokes.
However, it was on the back nine where he really showed his winning credentials. A birdie-eagle start at the tenth and 11thmeant he leapt to five under par for the day before back-to-back birdies found the cup at the 13thand 14th.
Streeter’s one and only blemish occurred at the par four 16thbefore he cancelled it out with one final birdie at the 18thto sign for a stunning 65.
“It was probably one of the best rounds I’ve ever played really,” Streeter said. “I was nervous going out having a lead, but I just played great. It was surreal. I just kept hitting it close and holing the putts. I holed a ten-footer for eagle on the 11thand that was probably the longest putt I holed.
“It’s great to hear. It’s certainly the best golf I’ve played but to hear it from someone like Carl, who is an absolute gent to play with, is really nice.”
Despite posting a closing one over par 73 on the third and final day, Streeter secured his first Staysure Tour title in his rookie season with a two-shot victory over Clark Dennis at the Travis Perkins Masters.
