Chris on song to build on title challenge

Chris Croucher wants to build on a tournament-changing finish to last year’s PGA Assistants' Championship Final which saw him seal a top four place.

The Singing Hills Golf Club assistant professional admits it was the last nine holes on the final day of the 2017 final that lifted him up the leaderboard during a round in which he says he initially ‘wanted to go home’.

Now he will be looking to return to the £32,000, Birdietime-supported, showpiece which will be played at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey between July 3-5.

First, the Sussex assistant must get through the qualifying event which will also be at Farleigh on Tuesday, May 8.

But he will take inspiration from his performance on last year’s final which was held at Coxmoor Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.

“I played the first nine holes in the final round last year and all I wanted to do was get in the car and go home, and then I had a back nine that was really good,” he recalled.

“It was two different tales on that day.  The last nine holes changed the whole tournament. I went out in 38 and came back in 31.”

Croucher hopes he can do even better this year and admits the fact that the qualifier and final are being held the same venue could count in his favour.

“If you do well in the qualifier then it should prepare you for the big event,” said the 26-year-old Brighton-based player.

“I’ve played at Farleigh a few times, it’ll be interesting to see how it’s coped with a bad winter, but I’m sure it’ll be in great shape.

“But if people have put the work in then I know it’ll be a level playing field.

“It’s definitely an event I want to play in again, and hopefully, do well in again.

“I’ve just completed my second year PGA exams so I can concentrate on playing again now.

“I feel as though I’m riding a bit of a wave of form at the moment, so hopefully I can turn that into results. I had good momentum last year so I hope I can get that again.”