Stephen Leaney’s US Open experience of the past proved beneficial as the West Australian finished inside the top 30 in his senior major debut at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in New York.

Japan’s Ken Tanigawa was one of only three players to complete the four rounds under par at a brutal Oak Hill Country Club, an even-par round of 70 in the final round enough for a one-shot win from Scott McCarron with England’s defending champion Paul Broadhurst a further shot back in third.

The 2002 US Open runner-up at Olympia Fields Country Club, Leaney opened the tournament with a 4-over 74 and delivered his best round of the week in the final round, a 1-over 71 moving him up 10 spots to be tied for 28th.

European Staysure Tour regular Peter Fowler also made a positive move on Sunday, moving up six places to be tied for 41st with Victorian David McKenzie two shots further back in a tie for 48th.

Making his first appearance in a senior tournament Kiwi legend Michael Campbell struggled, missing the cut after rounds of 81-79.