By Mark Sampson
England’s Roger Chapman came from a seven-shot deficit to claim the inaugural MCB Tour Championship at Constance Lemuria, Seychelles. After a 59 on day two Miguel Angel Martin was the man to beat with his five-shot lead. Unfortunately for him he came back to the field with a seven over par round of 75 to leave the door wide open.
Roger Chapman teary eyed after eagling the playoff hole to win the tournament.
Tom Lehman finishing one shoot off the pace at five under par
Martin’s playing partner Tom Lehman couldn’t capitalise on the Spaniards demise and missed a number of short putts to end on five under par for the tournament.
James Kingston from South Africa finished tied fourth for a commendable showing at the MCB Tour Championship in Seychelles
South Africa’s James Kingston followed day two’s pattern by making a number of early birdies which were erased by a double on the seventh. He finished the tournament on three under par in a commendable tied fourth position. “I am a little disappointed, we weren’t sure if we were going to play with the bad weather, I started the day at fourth and ended at fourth so it is a little deflating,” he said. “I doubled the seventh again after hitting a good tee shot and then three putted for par on the 18th, if I had finished second I may have made it into the U.S Open next year so those shots were crucial.”
Philip Price with four birdies on the last five holes finished at six under to make the playoff
Roger Chapman overwhelmed with happiness with his unlikely win after having his arm in the sling only seven months prior
A steady round saw Welshman Philip Price move up the leader board after starting the day at one under par. A late flurry of birdies on holes 14 to 17 saw him sign for a total of six under. Chapman needed a birdie on the 18th to move to seven under but a par was all he could manage meaning a playoff between him and Price followed on the 18th. Both men hit excellent approaches to reach the par five in two. Chapman was first away and sunk his eagle putt, Price unfortunately couldn’t follow him in, meaning victory went to Chapman. The win means he takes home the Seychelles MCB Tour Championship trophy as well as the Indian Ocean swing trophy for his combined effort at both tournaments. “I was just happy to get into the tournament after doing well in Mauritius. At the end of May my arm was in a sling and I wasn’t sure if I would play much more golf this year, so I am thrilled to bits to win the MCB Tour Championship in Seychelles,” Chapman said after the round. “2012 was my last victory so to be in the winner’s circle again I am delighted.” This concluded the final tournament of the Staysure Tour 2018 and the MCB Tour Championship Indian Ocean swing.
