Ablett gives West Hove something to celebrate
23/08/2017
James Ablett set a new course record of seven-under par 63 on his way to winning the West Hove Pro-Am after edging out Chris McDonnell’s 65 for the winner’s cheque of £600.
With typically blowy weather on the Downs, the left-handed star was delighted to admit he’d finally sorted out his putting the day before at Prince’s, and it had made all the difference.
Ablett said: “I’ve been playing well, but unable to hole anything outside of 10 feet for ages, which has been very frustrating. On the Tuesday at Prince’s I moved the ball in my stance, and those mid-range putts started going in.”
Having missed Monday’s cut in the PGA Kent Open, Ablett played in The Lodge at Prince’s Sprint, shooting a winning 63 on the Himalayas course. Out in a seven-under par 28 for his front nine, he picked up a handy £400.
Arriving at West Hove the next day, Ablett was confident he could put a score together around the immaculately prepared course.
He continued: “I played fine in the 20mph wind, as West Hove’s laid out to allow for that. A shotgun start meant I started on the 18th, and I birdied the second, so coming to the short par four fourth and the par five fifth, I was looking to pick up one or maybe two more.
“I drove the fourth for a chip and tap in birdie and then eagled the fifth with a seven iron to 20 feet, holing the kind of putt I haven’t been making for weeks. Having exceeded expectations on those two holes, I managed to give a bit back by bogeying the sixth.”
Three-under-par, Ablett made birdies at the eighth, 10th, 14th and 15th to finish on a record breaking 63, giving West Hove’s members an even better day to celebrate. Cottesmore’s Calum Callan added to the day’s festivities, leading his three amateurs to win the team event by three shots.
Winning twice in two days means that Ablett’s now chasing Wallis hard in the PGA South’s Money List while ProAgenda.com’s Guy Woodman is close behind in third place, but with plenty of regional and county events left, there’s lots to play for yet.
For a full list of results from the West Hove Pro-Am click here.
