Campbell’s super success at Aldwickbury

Ian Campbell nailed a telling 18-foot birdie putt at the last to secure victory in a dramatic climax to the Weston Homes @Aldwickbury Park Classic.

Campbell (Cheshunt Park) closed out the event with a superb 68 to finish at four-under-par – a shot clear of Chris Cutchie (Colchester). It was the Scot’s first victory in an East region Order of Merit tournament.

Campbell, 36, said: “That was my goal at the start of the season – to win an Order of Merit event. I’m really pleased.

“I did win an Order of Merit tournament in the South region – the Surrey Open at Merrist Wood. But that was a long time ago in 2009.

“So it’s good to finally win another one. It’s a nice achievement and great for your confidence – you know you can do it.”

** 2016 champion Ian Campbell reflects on his win.

The win continued Campbell’s fine form after he also landed the PGA East Head Pros Championship at nearby Brocket Hall 11 days earlier.

At Aldwickbury Park, he trailed overnight leader Rob Coles (Maylands G&CC) by two shots going into the final round but got off to a blistering start, birdieing three of the opening six holes.  Campbell stuttered early in his back nine before making a crucial seven-footer for par at the 14^th.

And he signed off in style with that brilliant three at the closing par four. Campbell hit a wedge from 110 yards to set up the chance, which he duly converted by holing a fast left-to-right putt.  

He added: “I just stuck to it...I wasn’t really thinking of winning the tournament. I was just thinking of playing well, doing what I set out to do – which was keep my rhythm throughout the whole day, keep it steady and luckily I won in the end.”

** Emma Clifford on what it means to host a PGA in England (East) Order of Merit.

Cutchie laid down a fine challenge of his own, holing a mid-range birdie putt at 13 and also picking up another stroke at the 16^th. That got him to four-under but a slightly bold first putt at the short 17^th led to a bogey and he  eventually came up just short, despite a bold attempt at a 30-footer on the closing green. It was the second time he had finished runner-up in an Order of Merit event.

Cutchie said: “It was tough out there to hit it close to flags and I was pretty patient all day. I’m pleased with the performance.  It’s a long season and this was a good start.”

Coles was another who looked to be bang in the mix. Indeed, he was at minus-four and seeking further advances playing the par-five 16^th. But the former European Tour ace saw his challenge unravel after a weak first chip from the back of the green and he ended up making bogey on the hole.

** West Essex head pro Chris Baron looks ahead to the London Open.

Coles also ended up dropping a stroke at the last to fall back into a four-way tie for third spot alongside James Webber (Three Rivers), Ray Russell (Centurion) and James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City).

Last year’s Order of Merit winner Darren Charlton secured a top-10 finish, thanks to a second-day 67. The low round of the tournament came from Patrick Spraggs (Felixstowe Ferry), who fired a second-round 66 to rise to a share of 27^th place in the 117-man field.