Cort ready for Order of Merit opener

Nearly 100 of the Midlands’ leading golfers will converge on South Staffordshire Golf Club, near Wolverhampton, on Tuesday for the PTS Invitation – the opening round of the Midland PGA Order of Merit.

Spread over three days, the tournament is one of the highlights of the region’s golfing calendar with a prize fund of nearly £15,000 up for grabs.

Leicestershire’s Matthew Cort took the honours last year, storming to victory by six shots. And the Rothley Park golfer is the form player going into the event this year having had a share of first place in all three of the opening pro-am events.

Head professional at the Tettenhall course and former Ryder Cup star, Peter Baker, will be another to keep an eye on following his victory in 2011 and reigning PGA Midland Order of Merit champion Paul Streeter (Lincoln Golf Centre) arrives fresh from his appearance at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The opening two days of the PTS Invitational is on a pro-am basis and the first of the 86 pairs will tee off at 7.20am on Tuesday. The top 30 golfers will then return for Thursday’s final day and the chance to lift the £2,500 first prize.

James Brown, regional secretary for the The PGA in England (Midlands) said: “It’s great to get the season underway with the PTS Invitational – our first Order of Merit and the one with the largest prize fund.

“PTS have been fantastic supporters of the PGA in the Midlands over the years and Peter Baker and his team keep the course in such fantastic condition that it is sure to be an excellent event.

“I think it’s fair to say that 2013 could be one of the most exciting years we have had so many talented golf professionals trying to wrestle the Order of Merit title away from reigning champion Paul Streeter.”