Robert Coles Triumphs at Staysure PGA Seniors Championship
Robert Coles, a 52-year-old golfer from Essex, England, has claimed his first Legends Tour title at the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship held at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland. The victory came after an intense final round on August 5, 2024, where Coles managed to card a 71, finishing with a total score of four-under-par for the tournament.
“I think my short game’s been exceptional this week,” Coles remarked after his win. “A few weeks ago, a few months ago, I was just not good enough – so, I’ve worked hard at that.” His efforts paid off, particularly on the 16th hole, where a critical chip shot kept him in contention. “To hit those sort of shots, the chip on 16 and I had to scramble my way around today because I wasn’t playing great. It was tough and I leaned on my short game heavily,” added Coles.
Coles’ journey to victory was marked by consistent performance, with initial rounds of 69, 69, followed by a more challenging 75 in the third round, and concluding with a solid 71 in the final round. His opponent, Paul Lawrie, who started the final round with a four-shot lead, struggled to maintain his advantage. Lawrie, a former Open Champion from 25 years ago, encountered difficulties on the back nine, bogeying the 16th and 17th holes and concluding with a double-bogey on the final hole, finishing with a 76 and a total score of three-under-par, just one shot behind Coles.
“It’s amazing, obviously it hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” Coles reflected on his maiden Legends Tour title. “Paul was unlucky at the last and it was a real battle at the end.”
Other notable performances included Simon Khan, who finished at one-under-par after scoring 74 on Sunday, and Colin Montgomerie, who shared seventh place with Michael Campbell at two-over-par. Montgomerie faced a challenging week, battling the cold and windy conditions while also shouldering hosting duties. “It was difficult, it was cold and windy and I’ve never been a fan of windy conditions but we did OK,” said Montgomerie.
Despite his struggles, Montgomerie remained positive about the event. “The hosting duties this week were full on – it is difficult to play and to host a tournament and I haven’t been well. I’m going home and looking forward to taking a minimum of two months off. I have never done this in 40 years so I’m looking forward to it,” he said, revealing plans for a well-deserved rest. “I hurt my back in a bunker at 13 trying to get the ball out. It was on a downslope – that wasn’t good, everything is falling to bits! But I have enjoyed it and it has been a great tournament, the facilities here are fantastic, the hospitality has been great – everything has been super.”
The tournament concluded with a trophy presentation, featuring Colin Montgomerie, Eric Trump, and Ryan Howsam, Chairman of the Legends Tour. Additionally, Robert Coles received a congratulatory phone call from former US President Donald Trump, marking a memorable end to an event filled with challenges, perseverance, and triumph.
As the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship draws to a close, the golf world looks forward to future tournaments, hopeful that this victory will be a catalyst for more success in Coles’ career and an inspiration for emerging talents in the sport.
For the full leaderboard from the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, go to legendstour.com
