Canny Frayne’s tactical triumph

Adam Frayne’s defensive tactics paid off as he protected his first-round lead to win the Players Championship at Cumberwell Park, near Bath, for his first PGA of England and Wales (South West). Order of Merit success.

The second year PGA degree student from Yelverton (pictured right collecting the trophy from John Jacobs) plotted his way with a safety-first 66 to finish 11-under-par 131 after opening with 65 in the event sponsored again by Lansdown Mazda.

“I tried to keep a bogey off my card and almost succeeded until I dropped my only shot at the 15th,” he said. “I took irons off the tee and played smart defensive golf as I knew I had a little bit of room after leading.

“I tried to play steady golf and avoid making mistakes so gave myself plenty of scoring opportunities, although my mind was not really on playing when I started off.”

He explained that Thurlestone professional Jack Wallace had withdrawn after his father passed away suddenly the previous night.

“Jack was my room-mate when we played the PGA Europro Tour together and I was constantly thinking about him rather than golf,” he added.

But he managed to extend his lead to three after making six birdies in eight holes from the sixth hole. After that it was easy to deny defending champion Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf, 68, 65) and Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew 67, 66) by two shots to win £1,850.

David Dixon (Enmore Park), who started the week with a nine-under-par 62 in the pro-am and closed with 63 after a level par 71, and the rapidly-improving Welshman Toby Hunt (St Mellons 66, 68) shared third on 134.

Frayne’s win was over a golf course his father helped to build 21 years ago.

“I had no idea he was involved,” he said, referring to the prolific course design and build partnership of Frank Frayne and Adrian Stiff, now co-owner of The Players Club near Bristol.

Dinsdale said: “I thought 10-under would be good enough and I missed a short putt on the 14th to get there. But I put up a good defence and to win and finish second twice in three years is satisfying because I enjoy playing the course and simply love it here.”

O’Hanlon, fresh from a pro-am victory at Northants County, also thought 10-under would be the winning score. He said: “I am happy but my target is to reach the Play-Offs in Turkey again so I am pleased to be accumulating Order of Merit points.”

Dixon compiled the round of the tournament. “I couldn’t do anything wrong in the pro-am or today when I made two successive eagles and almost made it three in a row. But I made a bad start to the yesterday and had to pick up three shots in the last eight holes to get level.”

West Assistants champion Toby Hunt (St Mellons) is enjoying his finest season and achieved his best OOM result after sharing fourth place in the Welsh Championship at Radyr this month. “I have been holing some putts,” he said.

Cumberwell’s general manager Ali James said: “It has been a fantastic week with 44 teams in the pro-am, great support from Lansdown Mazda, and is testimony to the high quality field. You only have to look at the top of the leaderboard to see big names.

“The players enjoy coming here and we enjoy having them as they raise the profile of the club. The course is in fabulous condition, reflected by the scoring as 28 players finished under par.”