Birdie finish thriller earns Wootton Southern Open title
15/08/2016
Adam Wootton (Oxford Golf Centre) is the new PGA Southern Open champion, holing a seven foot birdie putt on the 18th green to clinch the title by one stroke from Bruce McDonald (Littlestone).
Wootton’s winning putt in front of a large gallery took him to four-under-par for a card of 140, with McDonald on 141, and The Golf College’s Tim Spence on 142.
With his earlier victory in the CK Group PGA Kent Open Championship, after three events Wootton commands a healthy lead in the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit. The £2,000 winner’s cheque didn't do him any harm in the PGA in England (South) Money List either, pushing Wootton up to fourth place.
A delighted Wootton commented: “After leading with my first round 69, I fancied my chances but in a field this strong, you’d normally have to shoot a similar sub-par round to be in the frame. But the wind that sprung up midday made things much tougher to judge the shots to the greens, which were already very firm and fast.”
“By the turn I was two-under-par and looking good, but a horrendous double at the 10th after two trips into the long rough followed by a three putt rocked me back a bit! But I pulled myself together and bounced back with a good birdie on the 11th, only to go and make bogey at the 13th!”
“A run of pars got me to the 18th tee tied on three-under with Bruce, so I knew I had to find a birdie up the final hole. My drive was longer than I’d thought, but it stayed on the fairway leaving me 105 yards and a lob wedge to the flag.”
Wootton’s beautifully struck wedge pulled up seven feet below the hole, leaving a putt breaking to the right.
“I knew it was just outside the left hand side of the hole, and Warren’s (Warren Wood, Rochester & Cobham) putt from the other side confirmed the break, so when it was on track for the cup two feet from the hole, it was great to watch it keep breaking and drop right in the middle.
“I’d like to dedicate this victory to my great mate Jonny Stevens, who died in a road accident in July. He inspired and encourage me to play golf, taking me in his car to the golf course when I was too young to drive, and we used to play in lots of Pro-Ams. I’m sure he was watching my putt on the 18th and would be as happy as I was when it went in for the title.”
Besides two wins out of two in the Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit, Wootton is also in the last 16 of the Keith MacDonald Match Play, and is now aiming to get into one of the top three spots for a ticket to the PGA Play Offs at Saunton in October.
