Caldwell wins Clipper Logistics Championship

Jonathan Caldwell finally landed his first HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour title, taking home the Clipper Logistics Championship at Moor Allerton with three birdies in his last four holes.

Caldwell (Clandeyboye; 70, 64, 69) has finished inside the top five on eight occasions in five years on the tour, but beat Kevin Harper (East Devon Golf Club; 69, 69, 66) holing a nervy short putt for the title in Leeds.

It lifts him inside the Race To Desert Springs top five, a position which is rewarded with a 2017 Challenge Tour card for those in that position at the end of the season.

Curtis Griffiths (Wentworth; 68, 70, 68) consolidated his position in second on the tour rankings with a third-place finish on seven under par.

“It feels great,” said Caldwell, who takes home £10,000 along with a brand new Motocaddy S1 Lithium trolley, Bushnell Tour X Range Finder and Bolle Sunglasses. “It has been a long time coming after a few near misses, so it feels special.

“The one bad shot I hit all week was at the third, and it got me into some bother. I took a swipe at it left handed, got it out right handed and didn’t really know where I was going with the fourth but managed to get it up by the green to chip and putt for what turned out to be a pretty good six in the end. It was a shame after a good start on the first two holes, and I then bogeyed the fourth as well.

“Making a birdie at five was key, picking one up there and steadying the ship by hitting fairways and greens. I stayed patient and knew I was playing well enough to give myself chances.

“It is satisfying to win birdieing three of the last four, rather than to stumble over the line. The top five has been a goal of mine throughout the year, and I have done that now – better late than never.”

The top 60 on the Race To Desert Springs will now be invited to play the season-ending Tour Championship at Desert Springs Resort in Spain. Nick Cunningham took 60th spot with a season’s earnings of £3,070.71 but Ben Hall misses out, finishing just £42.21 behind.

Highlights from the Clipper Logistics Championship will be broadcast on Sky Sports on Tuesday, October 4.