Des Smyth

ELIGIBILITY CODE: 15

A sublime final round 65 secured his fourth Senior Tour victory in the Van Lanschot Senior Open in 2011, continuing his return to form. Nearly made it two victories in the 2011 but lost to Juan Quiros in a play-off at the Cannes Mougins Masters. Ended a three year gap without a Senior Tour victory when he captured the Travis Perkins plc Senior Masters in 2010, finishing three strokes clear of Carl Mason at Woburn. It meant the popular Irishman has won in five consecutive decades, having captured his maiden European Tour title in 1979. Four other top-10 finishes saw him end the 2010 campaign ninth on the Order of Merit, his best position since 2005. Returned to the Senior Tour full time in 2009 after splitting his schedule with the US Champions Tour for six seasons. Just missed out on a sentimental home victory in 2008 when he finished runner up to Quiros at the Irish Seniors Open. Despite admitting he was struggling with his form, Smyth claimed a thrilling victory at the 2007 Wentworth Senior Masters to continue a great summer of golf for the Irish, after Padraig Harrington's Open win. Captured his first Senior titles in 2005, one on the European Senior Tour and two in America. Won the SBC Classic and the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf on the Champions Tour, where he closed out the year in tenth place on the money list, and rounded off an unforgettable season by winning the Arcapita Seniors Tour Championship in Bahrain to finish third on the 2005 European Senior Tour Order of Merit. Also lost a play-off to Tom Watson in The 2005 Senior Open Championship presented by Aberdeen Asset Management, at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. In October 2005, underwent an emergency operation after a routine check-up revealed a serious problem with the arteries supplying blood to his heart. Went under the knife that evening, but was back on the golf course five days later. Still holds the record as the oldest winner on The European Tour when, during his 28th consecutive season in 2001, he won the Madeira Islands Open at the age of 48 years and 34 days.