Doug McGuigan finished 24th on Sunday after a closing level-par 72 in the Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club left him at six-over-par for the championship.
The eight-time Sunshine Tour winner had a particularly good weekend on the tough course, carding a one-under 71 in the third round to be the best South African player in the field – even though he plays under the Scottish flag.
McGuigan was born in Durban. His father, Francis McGuigan, was a Scottish-born professional footballer who played for Falkirk, Blackpool, and Durban United. He stayed in South Africa permanently after the end of his career.
McGuigan made four birdies and four bogeys in his final round, and he was 16 shots behind the new Senior Open champion, KJ Choi of Korea. He became the first South Korean to win a senior major championship as he claimed a two-stroke victory.
The 54-year-old started slowly but ignited around the turn to put daylight between himself and the chasing pack as he signed for a closing two-under round of 70 and a winning total of 10-under-par, two clear of Australia’s Richard Green.
Green extended his excellent run of form in the senior majors by securing his third top-three finish of the season, while England’s Paul Broadhurst finished two shots further back in third on six-under.
Canadian Stephen Ames finished fourth on three under par, while no fewer than seven players finished in a tie for fifth on two under, including former Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn, Pádraig Harrington and Bernhard Langer.
Keith Horne closed with a two-over 74 to finish in a share of 29th on eight-over. Retief Goosen and Adilson Da Silva were in a share of 37th on nine-over after closing rounds of 75 and 74 respectively.
