Michael Long is ‘Living the Dream’ at Richmond Golf Club after carding an incredible five under par 65 in round two of the Australian Seniors PGA Championship.

On a testing afternoon with temperatures peaking in the high 30’s, and the north-westerly wind playing havoc with yardages, Long was sublime, crafting six birdies to take command of the tournament. A bogey on the last was the only blemish on what was an otherwise perfect day for the Western Australian based kiwi.

“It was tough out there,” Long said. “It wasn’t super hot, it only got to 37, but the wind got up in the afternoon and made it tough. You had to hold your nerve. I’m pretty happy with the score though."

Long will take an open-minded approach into tomorrow’s round. He knows there is plenty of talent close enough behind him to make a move, and after winning last week knowing what is required. Chasing him will be some of the great names of Australian golf.

“I always think, just tee it up on the first and see where it goes from there. We are all competitive. Peter Senior, Peter Lonard, David McKenzie.

“You have got to go out and take care of your game, so we’ll just wait and see.”

Although a second straight title after winning last week’s Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open at Thurgoona would be a real thrill for Long, he is mindful too of what it means in pursuit of his personal goal – qualifying for the 2019 Champions tour.

“Yes, there’s the bigger picture end of the day. I really would love a crack at the top level, and I will keep on having a go. I’m going to enjoy it no matter what happens.

“There’s not many sports like golf where you can reach the age of 50 and go and do it all over again.

“It feels fantastic, It’s almost like I’m living the dream,” he smiled.

Michael Long has won the Australian PGA Seniors Championship in dramatic fashion, chipping in for birdie on the final hole to pip Peter Senior by one stroke.

In only his second event on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour, Long has now claimed the two biggest titles after last week’s Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open. It’s the first time in Long’s thirty-year career he has recorded victories in consecutive weeks

Long recorded rounds of 65, 65 and 68 to finish at 12-under the card, one shot ahead of Senior at 11-under. A brilliant birdie on the 72nd hole from Long the only thing separating the pair.

“I am honoured to win the Australian PGA Seniors title, it’s pretty neat to win your association’s national title,” said Long.

It’s the second week in a row Long and Senior have dueled it out with Long prevailing by a single shot on both occasions

“Everyone is competitive out here. I was a bit nervous with Peter chasing me but that’s what it’s all about. Competing against legends like Peter Senior is a dream, I actually can’t think of too many things better than that.”

Long now heads to the USA for the Champions Tour Qualifying School as he attempts to obtain a card for the 2019 season.

US  regular David McKenzie finished outright third on 8-under the card with Michael Harwood rounding out the top four on 7-under.

After an extremely successful tournament, The Australian PGA Seniors Championship will return to Richmond Golf Club in 2019 with the PGA of Australia and the Richmond Club committed to ensuring the tournament has a regular home in the ensuing years.

For the full leaderboard, visit pga.org.au.

Mike Harwood leads a top heavy leaderboard after round one of the Australian PGA Seniors Championship following an impressive 7 under par 63.

With the temperature hovering in the mid-30’s, the veteran Victorian was at his freewheeling best around the tight Richmond Golf Club layout, carding seven birdies and an eagle, to more than offset the two bogeys he made mid-round.

Two shots behind are Peter Senior and last week’s  Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open Champion, Michael Long, who carded opening 67’s. Stephen Herbert and Lyndsay Stephen are another shot back tied for third, while three players sit at three under, Peter Lonard, John Wade, and Terry Price.

All eyes were on Harwood, however, who described the round as one of the best he’d had in a long time.

“I played really good out there,” Harwood said. “I don’t think I have played this well in at least ten years.”

After a testing year on the European Staysure Tour, Harwood began to show glimpses of his best at last week’s NSW Open. He credits the late season resurgence to a few factors; a new set of clubs went into the bag last month, a change of golf ball, and a lesson from his coach, Bruce McLean.

“I had a fantastic lesson with Bruce two weeks ago, and it’s taken a couple of weeks to get better.

“I had a new set of clubs that Gary Tozer made up for me which are going great, and this new AVX ball.

“I am almost jumping out of bed in the morning to get here,” he smiled.

Harwood has been round long enough to know to not count those chickens before they hatch, particularly around a course as tight as Richmond.

“Today is the first time I have really been able to go since I can’t remember; hopefully It will be nice if can get that feeling back because it has been a long time.

“Let’s see if I can hold up,” he added.

The Australian PGA Seniors Championship tees off this week at Richmond Golf Club with the nation’s leading Senior Professionals flocking to the Hawkesbury region competing for their share of the $80,000 prize money on offer.

Recent Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open Champion Michael Long will headline a star-studded field including the likes of Peter Senior, Peter O’Malley, Rodger Davis, Michael Harwood, Terry Price along with Ladbrokes Legends Tour Rookie Peter Lonard and defending Australian PGA Seniors Champion David McKenzie.

McKenzie will be a firm favourite for the event having recently returned to Australia after a third-place finish in the Invesco QQQ Championship on the PGA Tour of Champions in the USA.

The Australian PGA Seniors Championship holds significance in both prestige and pathway with the winner not only getting their name on the trophy alongside the likes of Lee Trevino and Bill Dunk but also a valuable $14,400 in Order of Merit prize money.

The Australian PGA Seniors Championship returns to Richmond Golf Club after a two-year hiatus with Richmond Club Operations Manager Craig Hodge excited about the event’s prospects.

“For us, this event is about engaging the community and showing all the things the Hawkesbury Region has to offer. We love the unique nature of this event whereby everyday golfers can walk the fairways shoulder to shoulder alongside these champions of the sport," said Hodge.

The tournament will be staged over 54 holes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Entry to the tournament is free and spectators are welcome to attend.

The Australian PGA Seniors Championship will return to Richmond Golf Club from 1-3 November following a three year absence from the popular venue.

The tournament was last played at Richmond Golf Club in 2015 when 1986 Australian Open champion Rodger Davis took out the title in a playoff over Peter Senior and Michael Harwood, the event has been looking for a permanent home since.

Richmond Golf Club has proven to be a popular host venue of the Australian PGA Seniors Championship with both the members and Ladbrokes Legends Tour players and with support from new sponsors and the backing of the Hawkesbury region,  Richmond Golf Club CEO Kimberley Talbot stated that the Board of Directors has signed off to host the event until 2020.

“We are so pleased to again be hosting with the Australian PGA Seniors Championships! Having an awesome line-up of Legends Tour Professionals competing as we did in 2015 will ensure the members and Sponsors alike are getting great value,” said Talbot.

“Being able to see the who’s who of Australian Golf from years gone by playing on the oldest course in New South Wales, on its original site, will be a sight to behold.

“We look forward to this year’s event being a great success within the Hawkesbury region.”

The Australian PGA Seniors Championship has always been the marquee tournament on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour and in 2018 will follow on from the New South Wales Senior Open, providing two weeks of high quality golf for some of Australia’s golfing icons.

Rodger Davis, Peter Senior and Ian Baker-Finch, Peter O’Malley, Craig Parry, Peter Fowler, Mike Harwood, Peter Lonard and many more are expected to take part to make it one of the one of the strongest senior Professional fields ever assembled in Australia.

“We’re very excited to see the Australian PGA Seniors Championship return to Richmond Golf Club in 2018,” said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns the Ladbrokes Legends Tour.

“An event of this nature deserves a fitting venue and we look forward to crowning the Australian PGA Senior Champion at Richmond Golf Club for the next three years.”

The Australian PGA Seniors Championship will be played for a minimum of $70,000 in prize money.