A brilliant birdie at the last hole gave former Ryder Cup player Jose Rivero, pictured, a dramatic one-shot victory in the FIRSTPLUS Wales Seniors Open at The Vale Resort yesterday.

Rivero had started the final round six strokes back but as the leaders faltered over the back nine of the Wales National Course, the Spaniard went on a birdie spree for a round of 68 and a winning total of four under par 212.

Sam Torrance of Scotland, who closed with a 71, overnight leader David J Russell of England (75), Juan Quiros of Spain (69) and Frenchman Gery Watine (70) shared second place on 213.

Rivero looked to have blown his chance when he bogeyed the 17th but the 50-year-old, a member of triumphant Ryder Cup Teams in 1985 and 1987, responded by hitting a nine iron to 12ft at the last and holing the putt for a career-best cheque of £75,000.

'Before starting my final round I did not think I could win from six shots back. I thought if I played very good and got to four under I would at best finish second,' said Rivero.