BOB SHEARER gave himself a belated 51st birthday present at Meon Valley Golf and Country Club yesterday when he notched up his second win on the European Seniors Tour.

It was Shearer's birthday on Friday and he celebrated in style last night after adding the Philips PFA Golf Classic title to the Jersey Open he won last year.

But it took a bogey-free final round 67 - and two birdies in his last three holes - to finish on 12 under par and see off some of the big names on the European Seniors Tour.

His old sparring partner, fellow countryman Terry Gale, was one shot further back after a course record 65 and American JR Delich birdied the final hole to also miss out by just one.

But then came a trio of big names on ten-under - leading Seniors Tour money-winner Tommy Horton shot a 66 to come from nowhere while Spaniard Antonio Garrido, whose son Ignacio plays on the Volvo European Tour, and Scotland's David Huish recorded final rounds of 70 and 69 respectively to finish in joint fourth.

David Jones, who lost in a play-off last year, went into the final round one shot ahead of the field and looked favourite to go one better this time around.

But a bogey on the par-five first unnerved the big Irishman and his grasp on the title faltered as he recorded a level par 72 to finish back in eighth place.

Last year's winner Neil Coles never got over his opening round 77 and despite a second round 73 and final round 67 finished tied for 36th.

And the challenge from former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher never materialised. The Scot, playing in his first season on the Seniors Tour, finished tied 32nd on level par 216 after rounds of 71, 74 and 71.

The tournament did, however, belong to Shearer. He opened his account with a birdie four on the first and almost holed his seven iron tee-shot at the par three seventh. Having tapped in from about 12 inches, the Australian turned in two-under par 34.

A birdie followed at the par three 12th to take him to ten-under. And putts of 14 inches and 5 feet for birdies on 16 and 17 all but sealed victory.

The win has made Shearer rethink his plans over the coming weeks: "I'd thought about going home to Australia but after this victory I will definitely defend my title in Jersey in two weeks' time, then to home for a month and be back in time for the British Seniors Open at Royal Portrush.

"Meon Valley holds special memories. It was here last year where I played my first event as a senior and I have been looking forward to coming back ever since.

"It was a great thrill to beat Terry Gale. We go back a long way and have had a number of tussles in the past - and they haven't all gone my way!

"There are some illustrious names on the leaderboard. It's nice to see there is still life in the old guys yet!" added Shearer.

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