Jose Rivero

Made a massive impact in a short time after joining the 2005 Seniors Tour on turning 50 in late September. Played in four events and finished third-second-second-sixth en route to 33rd spot on the Order of Merit. Worked as a caddie before becoming a professional in Madrid in 1973. His big break on The European Tour came in 1984 when he was given a â?¬3,500 (£2,500) loan from the Spanish Golf Federation. The repayment was swift when he won the Lawrence Batley International that year as well as the World Cup in Italy with José Maria Cañizares. Went on to win on three other occasions on The European Tour â?? the 1987 Peugeot French Open, the 1988 Monte Carlo Open and the 1992 Open Catalonia â?? during an unbroken attendance record on Tour which ran from 1983 to 2001. Best Order of Merit position in those years came in 1988 when he finished tenth. Other main highlight of his career was playing in two winning Ryder Cup Teams, at The De Vere Belfry in 1985 and Muirfield Village in 1987.
Did exactly what he had threatened to do at the end of the 2005 season by capturing the first title of 2006, winning the DGM Barbados Open after defeating David J Russell at the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off. That maiden victory came in only his fifth tournament as a senior and his second arrived four starts later, when a birdie at the 54th hole gave him a one-shot victory over four players in the lucrative FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open. A further five top ten finishes helped the Spaniard wrap up third place on the Order of Merit as well as the 2006 Hardys Rookie of the Year Award. Played four events at the end of 2005, finishing third-second-second-sixth en route to 33rd spot on the Order of Merit.
Returned to the winner's circle in 2007 when he won the Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open at Dalmahoy in September with his ten under par total, a fitting reward for a fine 2007 season where he recorded six other top ten finishes
2005 European Seniors Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 4; top-10 finishes - 4; Euro ¢70,516 (ranked 33rd); Best finish T2nd Algarve Seniors Open Portugal and Castellon Costa Azahar Open de Espana.
2006 European Seniors Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 15; top-10 finishes - 8; Euro ¢70,516 (ranked 33rd); Winner DGM Barbados Open & FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open.
2006 Champions Tour Summary: tournaments entered - 2; top 10 finishes - 0; stroke average 73.00 (ranked N/A); money $47,013 (ranked 105th); Best finish, T11th Senior PGA Championship.
2007 European Seniors Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 17; top-10 finishes - 7; Euro ¢163,731 (ranked 9th); Winner Charles Church Scottish Seniors Open
Only played twice on Champions Tour, best finish T64th Senior British Open.
2008 European Seniors Tour record:
DGM Barbados Open¬T11th¬76-73-68=217¬=1¬Euro¢4,028.33
Azores Senior Open¬T9th¬72-74-72=218¬+2¬Euro¢8,450.00