Double delight for Sam at The Shire London

28/08/2024

Sam Forgan clinched victory in the East region’s overall Order of Merit series courtesy of a two-shot triumph at The Shire London.

Forgan, a professional at Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, began the fourth and final tournament of the 2024 race in top spot after a play-off victory in the East Anglian Open.

And on the opening day in North London he consolidated his bid for a first Order of Merit crown by firing a superb six-under-par 66 to lead by one.

The second round proved more of a battle for Forgan as playing partner Jason Levermore (Little Channels Golf Centre) drew level with him at the turn.

Further ahead on the inner nine, Paul Maddy (Gog Magog) was enjoying an amazing birdie spree that briefly saw him grab the lead. But former European Tour player Maddy stuttered in the closing two holes and around the same stage Forgan fashioned a birdie with a pitch and putt at the 16th.

That left him with a slender cushion and he eventually prevailed at five-under-par with the persistent Levermore finishing runner-up.

Forgan and his caddie Christian Hewson celebrated that winning feeling on the final green where a year ago the Suffolk golfer ended up second best in the Order of Merit series behind Luke Goddard.

Forgan, 34, said: “There’s some really great players that have been on the region and, looking at the trophy, it feels good to get my name on that list. I thought I played some good golf last year and this year; so I suppose it sort of validates how I feel like I’ve played over the last couple.”

Forgan was forced to dig deep in the second round as he strove to land a fifth individual Order of Merit tournament win.

He added: “I didn’t really have my game – it was a bit of a battle to be honest. I was fighting a bit of a left shot and it was a case of managing it, rather than playing aggressively for birdies. I’m quite proud that I managed to find a couple of shots when I needed them, when I didn’t really have my best stuff.”

Oliver Chesterman (Highgate) finished in third at two-under. His second-round 69 proved just enough to join Forgan and Mark Talbott in securing spots in next spring’s PGA Play-Offs.

Gordon Campbell, regional manager for the East, said: “Sam has played some superb golf over the course of the season and is a worthy winner of our 2024 Order of Merit trophy.

“He showed his class again at The Shire London, which proved a fitting venue for our Order of Merit finale. The Menai-Davis family and everyone else at the superb Shire London have been great friends of the region in recent years and we’re very appreciative of their support.”

Click here for the PGA IN ENGLAND (East) Order of Merit tournament at The Shire London leading scores.