Callaway tops Bletchingley

David Callaway (Foxhills) shot a four-under-par 68 to win the Bletchingley Pro-Am, proving he’s got what it takes to win events on the tough PGA South schedule.

Callaway’s performance edged out the hard charging pair of James Ablett (Lee-on-the-Solent) and Jamie Harris (Nevill) by one shot to take the winner’s cheque for £750.

Speaking about his 68 around the challenging Bletchingley course, Callaway (above) said: “I’ve been getting some good results recently, and the work on my short game with Greg Brodie at Foxhills and Jason Murray at Pine Ridge is starting to pay off.

“The conditions at Bletchingley were made tougher by the wind, so I’m really pleased my game proved strong enough to win. The eagle at the 11th turned things from okay to being in contention, and grinding out the pars despite the wind for the next five holes kept me in business. The birdie at the 17th was about the only putt of any length to drop, and making a par up the last against the wind was particularly satisfying.

“Winning here is a major boost and proves to me that I’ve got what it takes. Now I’ve got to raise my game and see if I can translate that into some higher placings in the last two Order of Merit events, but my main focus is on the first stage of the European Tour School at Frilford Heath in a fortnight’s time.”

Callaway’s round had just the one bogey followed by three birdies and the eagle, whereas Ablett made six birdies but three bogeys for his three-under-par 69 and £500.

Harris got away to a fast start with an eagle at the second but although two bogeys on the next two holes put him back in the pack, he made three birdies on the trot on the back nine for his 69 and £500.

Callaway’s season has seen him grow in stature with six top 10 placings in August alone after a poor run in July, and 18 top ten placings since April.

Now bucking for a top three placing in the Virgin Atlantic Little Red PGA South Order of Merit, Callaway lies fifth currently with two stroke play events left: the PGA Southern Professionals Championship at Kings Hill on September 9-10, and the four round Tylney Park Classic on October 8-10.

While Callaway’s out of the other major, the Keith MacDonald PGA South Match Play, the last eight includes the 2013 Order of Merit champion Richard Wallis (North Foreland) who’s due to play six time winner in 2014 Benn Barham (PGolfCoaching@Pedham), 2014 Order of Merit contender  James Ablett, and Leatherhead’s Michael Lowe.