CASTELLON SENIOR TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP - FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-13 M Harwood (Aus) -10 A Franco (Par) -9 S Torrance (Sco) -8 C Mason (Eng)
Selected others: -4 G Ralph (Eng) -1 I Woosnam (Wal), P Mitchell (Eng) R Drummond

Woosnam is a former world number one and 1991 Masters champion

Ian Woosnam failed in his bid to win successive Senior Order of Merit titles as he was pipped to the crown by fellow former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance.

Woosnam led going into the final tour event but was beaten by Torrance as the Scot overtook him after finishing third at the Castellon Championship in Spain.

Torrance claimed his third senior crown due to his nine-under 207, while Woosnam finished on one-under 215.

Aussie Mike Harwood won the Castellon Championship, his first senior title.

With his senior tour sparring partner Woosnam 12 shots off the lead in joint 18th, Torrance only needed to finish fourth to win the title.

But a final round 69 nudged him up to third behind Australian Harwood, who shot a final day six-under 66.

Former world number one Woosnam led the Order of Merit by €19,380 (£17,311) from England's Glenn Ralph and third-placed Torrance going into the final round.

But Torrance's consistent low scoring at the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo over the weekend ensured he turned around the deficit to win the overall crown by €3,380 (£3,019) with an overall season's prize tally of €170,696 (£152,479).

Torrance's third Order of Merit victory, following successes in 2005 and 2006, meant that he equals Englishman Carl Mason's total and is now just two behind Tommy Horton's record five wins.

"It means the world to me," said the 55-year-old Scot.

"I'm delighted. I'm the best senior player in Europe this year. That feels fantastic. I played so well for the last two days and holed nothing.

"This week was so important and I managed to do it. It means more to me than anything else.

"It's been a great battle between me and Woosie. I said last year I wanted to get his title off him and I've done it. I only won one event but I dug in over the year.

"Having two former Ryder Cup captains going head to head is fantastic for the Senior Tour.

"We've been locking horns for 40 years Woosie and I, so it's great to still be doing it.

Woosnam had led the Order of Merit for most of the season after winning the Irish Seniors Open and finishing third and fourth respectively in the lucrative Wales Seniors and Casa Serena Open.

But, after congratulating Torrance, he warned his rival that he will be out to reclaim the silverware next season.

"It's been a great battle with Sam," said the 1991 Masters winner.

"It's been good for the Senior Tour. We need to have more of those battles. It's what it is all about.

"Good for Sam for winning this one. He deserved it. He's played well this year. He played well at this tournament last year and has kept it going. Next year I'm going to have him though!

"It's been another good season for me. I've been consistent but I haven't putted as well as last year.

"I putted so well last season and that's why I won more money. It's nice to be up there again though.

"The main thing for me was to finish in the top four so I get into all the Majors. When I did that in Prague that was what I was looking for.

"Winning in Ireland was great. I'd like to do it again. I've had some great times in Ireland. I want to get my game back to where I'm winning more.

"I've struggled with my game this year. I really felt I was going to play well this week but it's one of those courses that doesn't suit me."

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