SYDNEY, Dec 9: Peter Senior drew on all his experience from 34 years as a professional golfer to master gale force winds and win the Australian Open by a shot on Sunday, 23 years after he first held aloft the Stonehaven Cup.

Gusting winds of up to 80 kilometres an hour whipped across The Lakes Golf Club all day, knocking over a TV tower on the 18th green and forcing the suspension of play for three hours.

The 53-year-old ground out a final round of par 72 in fading light to finish four-under for the tournament and become the oldest man to win the title in the event’s 108-year history.

Brendan Jones finished second after a 71, while his fellow Australian Cameron Percy was third, a shot further back on two under, after carding a 73.

Britain’s world No 4 Justin Rose dropped a shot at the last to finish with a 76 for a share of fourth.

Leading final-round scores: 284 — Peter Senior (Australia) 75, 68, 69, 72.

285 — Brendan Jones (Australia) 68, 71, 75, 71.

286 — Cameron Percy (Australia) 72, 69, 72, 73.

287 — Kim Felton (Australia) 68, 75, 72, 72; Kieran Pratt (Australia) 71, 71, 70, 75; Justin Rose (Britain) 68, 73, 70, 76.

288 — Michael Hendry (New Zealand) 72, 71, 74, 71; Scott Gardiner (Australia) 76, 71, 68, 73; Stuart Appleby (Australia) 70, 73, 70, 75.—Reuters