England’s Greg Owen clinched the MCB Mauritius Legends title after sinking a crucial birdie on the 18th hole, edging out Jeev Milkha Singh and Darren Fichardt by just one shot at Constance Belle Mare Plage.
Owen looked in full control after making his ninth birdie of the round to reach 20 under through 14 holes. But things nearly fell apart when he four-putted the 15th for a double bogey and then dropped another shot on the 17th. With Milkha Singh making birdie on the last, Owen needed at least a par on the final hole to secure his first Legends Tour victory.
The 53-year-old hit a perfect drive down the par-five 18th and, after a delay caused by his playing partner Craig Farrelly struggling in the rocks, struck a long iron safely onto the green. That put him in position for an easy birdie — but Fichardt still had a chance to tie if he made eagle. The South African struck his approach to within 10 feet, but his putt narrowly missed, leaving Owen two putts to win.
He calmly tapped in for birdie, completing a superb seven-under 65 to go with earlier rounds of 65 and 68 for an 18-under total.
Fichardt finished one shot back after a 66, while Milkha Singh also tied for second. Owen, who famously missed out on a PGA Tour win at Bay Hill in 2006 after a three-putt from close range, started his final round with four straight birdies and added five more between the 6th and 14th before the late drama.
“For 16 holes it was probably the best I’ve ever played,” Owen said. “I’m glad I didn’t have to hole that final one. It’s been a tough year, but this feels worth all the hard work.”
Peter Baker threatened a third straight win in the event but bogeyed his final two holes to finish fourth.
Former US Open champion Michael Campbell shot a brilliant seven-under 65 after a 66 on Saturday to finish tied fifth alongside Stephen Gallacher, England’s Andrew Marshall, and Farrelly. Welshman Jamie Donaldson bounced back from a poor second round with a strong 66.
