RUSSELL ROLLERCOASTER ENDS IN TRIUMPH

But the 56-year-old, who has finished second on nine occasions during seven seasons on tour, did it in dramatic fashion during a rollercoaster final round 75 which included a jittery run around the turn when he dropped six shots in three holes to lose a commanding lead.

At that point the Archerfield Links attached golfer, who had started the final day four shots clear of South Africa's Chris Williams, had been cruising at 10 under par after three birdies in his first seven holes.

However a lost ball on eight cost him a triple bogey while a wayward second shot into some greenkeeper's clippings on nine ended with a double bogey. A shell-shocked Russell then bogeyed 10 to drop back into second place behind Williams and Paraguay's Angel Franco who had come through the pack.

'It was incredible, obviously you go out when leading a tournament to do the best you can and I holed a couple of birdies to get to 10 under which is what you want,' said Russell.

'It's then just a case of being sensible but all of a sudden I've handed the tournament back to somebody else.

'Luckily I managed to stumble over the winning line. I must admit I was looking at the scoreboard to see what score second was and at one stage after dropping six shots I would have taken it.'

With Barry Lane on a charge, Russell's hopes of ending a run of 113 starts without a win appeared to be fading but the man known as DJ revealed tremendous inner strength to sink birdies on the two par fives at 11 and 12 to go back in front.

Lane produced a storming back nine of 32 for a 69 to set the clubhouse target at three under par for the championship - a score matched by Franco with a 71, his title challenge damaged by bogeys on 13 and 16. Franco was also runner up last year as was Williams.

Russell, at five under through 15 holes, managed to par the last three holes but had some good fortune on the 18th when an overhit chip cannoned into the flagstick and stopped three feet from the pin.

It enabled him to tap in his par and with Williams bogeying the last for a 73 and share of second alongside Lane and Franco, a relieved Russell claimed a two shot victory and more importantly a first senior title.

'It was amazing really, it was quite surreal to go through an experience like that and come out on top. It shows how well I must have played most of the time,' added Russell who pocketed a winner's cheque for £ 40,000.

'Winning on the regular tour is a massive thing but the senior tour is a wonderful opportunity for players to stay competitive into their 50s and 60s so this is probably a career highlight although it was massive to win my first tour event on the regular tour.'

One man who enjoyed the victory more than most was his son, and caddy Chris - a PGA qualified pro who is on bag duties with his father for a six week spell.

'We went through all the emotions today but he's deserved it and to be on the bag when he won his first one is a special feeling,' said Chris.

'All he did was hit a couple of bad shots and before you know it we've dropped six shots and we look at the leaderboard and he's one behind.

'It was just a case of having the right mentality. We've lost the lead - deal with it before it's too late and get on with it. 11 and 12 were key really. He had a great bunker shot on 11, holed it and a great chip on 12 and holed it. If he had not had those birdies it might have been a different story.'

South Essex Centre's Steve Cipa was the best placed PGA pro with a final round 71 putting him in a tie for ninth at two over alongside defending champion Carl Mason.

Former PGA Cup players John Harrison (Matfen Hall) and George Ryall (The Players Club) had final rounds of 73 and 71 respectively to share 12th place at four over par where Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam also finished.

DE VERE COLLECTION PGA SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP Slaley Hall, 24 - 27 June 2010

Final round scores:

Pos. Score Name R1 R2 R3 R4

1 283 (-5) David J Russell (ENG) 71 67 70 75

2= 285 (-3) Barry Lane (ENG) 73 71 72 69

Angel Franco (PAR) 72 68 74 71

Christopher Williams(SA)71 69 72 73

5 287 (-1) Gordon Brand Jnr (SCO) 71 76 69 71

6= 288 (Par) Andrew Oldcorn (SCO) 74 72 74 68

Des Smyth (IRE) 71 71 72 74

8 289 (+1) Ross Drummond (SCO) 72 69 73 75

9= 290 (+2) Carl Mason (ENG) 73 72 75 70

Steve Cipa (ENG) 73 74 72 71

Picture of 2010 De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Champion David J Russell is (C) and courtesy of Phil Inglis

Full results from the Championship at Slaley Hall can be found under 'Schedule Scores and Results' at www.pga.info/PGASeniorsChampionship

Visit www.PGA.info for up to date reports and scores throughout the season from the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship and all PGA tournaments