Donaldson triumphs at La Manga Club in thrilling finale to Champions
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
(UK) plc European Senior Masters, in association with Equals Money
Four days of world-class golf, celebrity guests and record-breaking support mark a new high for Murcia’s premier sporting event
The Champions (UK) plc European Senior Masters, in association with Equals Money, once again brought La Manga Club (Murcia, Spain) to life this November 6-9 as the resort hosted the tournament for the third consecutive year.
This time round, there was a record-breaking €350,000 prize fund, and the event was attended by world-famous players. With international media coverage on TV, radio and online, this year’s edition has firmly established the Champions (UK) plc European Senior Masters, in association with Equals Money as the biggest and most successful golf event to be held at La Manga Club.
Spectators enjoyed four days of thrilling play, with a line-up that featured Major winner Michael Campbell, multiple European and Legends Tour champions, and Ryder Cup stars past and present. Adding to the glamour were Scottish football icons Sir Kenny Dalglish and Gordon Strachan OBE, while BBC News presenter and keen golfer Naga Munchetty added a touch of celebrity sparkle to proceedings.
The event, part of the prestigious Legends Tour, was hosted by Ryder Cup player Peter Baker, who helped ensure that both players and spectators experienced La Manga Club at its finest. The competition drew extensive coverage across broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, LA7 Murcia TV and social media platforms, shining a global spotlight on the Region of Murcia as a world-class sporting destination.
A total of 34 regional and international sponsors supported the championship, helping to create a festival atmosphere that combined top-level sport with first-class hospitality. These sponsors included recognisable local and international names such as Computacenter, Farmfoods, A1R Services, Bentley Leicester, Coca-Cola, La Manga Life Magazine, Marena Murray, Heniam & Associates, La Quinta Club, The Grand Hyatt - La Manga Club, Andrew Brown, The Gym Rental Company, ABI, Cuarentaytres, M2K, Vela Club, Murcia Today, TKO Radio, Home & Living Magazine, Works Direct and Resort Sales & Management.
Prize presentations took place throughout the week, with highlights including the gala dinner on Thursday, the lively Saturday night barbecue and the climactic ceremony on the 18th green on Sunday afternoon.
The atmosphere was electric as players, fans and sponsors gathered to watch the crowning of a new champion in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.
Donaldson claimed victory with a final-hole birdie
In one of the most dramatic finishes in recent Legends Tour history, Welsh Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson captured the title with a birdie on the final hole, sealing his first Legends Tour victory in just his second start. Donaldson’s closing round of 67 – six under par – took him to 11-under for the tournament, one shot clear of Mikael Lundberg, Van Phillips and Thomas Gögele.
“It’s fantastic. I’ve had a great week, it’s been really good fun,” said Donaldson after his win. “It was nice to play so well today and to birdie the last to just edge them by a couple of shots.”
Starting from the penultimate group, Donaldson quickly gained momentum with a birdie on the second hole, one of the course’s toughest par threes. Further birdies on the fourth and ninth put him in contention before a long putt on the 15th drew him level at the top of the leaderboard. Despite a bogey on 17, he remained calm under pressure, producing his best drive of the day on the final hole before rolling in a crucial four-footer to secure the title.
“There’s trouble both left and right, but I hit probably my best drive of the day,” he said. “I hit a solid five-iron to the middle of the green and holed the putt. That birdie on the last was enough to just pip the lads. It felt great to finish that way and get the win.”
The final leaderboard saw Donaldson finish on -11, ahead of Lundberg, Phillips and Gögele on -10, with Matthew Cort, Simon Griffiths and Michael Campbell tied for fifth at -8.
A new high for La Manga Club
This year’s championship has been hailed as the resort’s most successful sporting event to date. The combination of a strong international field, impressive prize money and global exposure has reinforced La Manga Club’s position as a premier golf destination in southern Europe.
The tournament also generated significant economic benefits for the region, drawing visitors from across Spain and beyond, while giving local sponsors and businesses a valuable international platform.
As the sun set on a memorable weekend of golf, attention already turns to 2026, with hopes high that the European Senior Masters will return once more to the Region of Murcia.
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