Flawless Broadhurst races to Lotus win

Paul Broadhurst showed his mastery of the vagaries of the British weather as the former Ryder Cup star comfortably won his first ever PGA Midlands Order of Merit title at South Staffordshire.

Given the first day deluge and second day summer sunshine, scoring was at a premium as exemplified by the fact that just three players managed to break par after 36 holes of the Lotus Financial Services Invitational at the testing Wolverhampton track.

Day one had seen Broadhurst share the lead with Thomas Rastall (Sleaford) and young assistant pro Luke Howe from Brocton Hall GC, who were all tied on two-under-par 69.

With no golfer emerging with a second day charge from the chasing pack, it was left to the leading trio to fight it out.

Broadhurst, playing in the penultimate group was in imperious form with five birdies and no dropped shots for a superb 66, which eased him to a seven under par total, eventually breaking the resistance of Rastall and Howe.

Both had their moments on the final day, Rastall's fast start saw him take an early lead before a few dropped shots on the back nine proved costly. He almost holed his second on the 18th but the ensuing birdie and a 69 secured him second place on four-under-par.

Howe also managed five birdies in his level par 71 but a triple bogey at the 14th saw his challenge fade, however he can take great credit with his solo third place on two-under-par.

Christopher Evans (Wishaw) continued his good start to the season by firing a 70 for fourth place on level par.

Broadhurst credited his play on the greens for his commanding triumph and was a relieved golfer after finally breaking a long standing duck.

He said: “It's a real monkey off my back. I don't know how many regional Order of Merit events I've played at, lost in a play-off last year, so it was getting to me a bit. It's great to finally win one, and to perform well under pressure again, I putted really well on both days which was key.”

Despite the difficult first day conditions the course held up extremely well, one of the reasons that the new sponsors were a happy team following the event.

“Absolute pleasure to host the event, we've been made to feel really welcome,” confirmed Ash Desai and Wesley Wilkes from Lotus.

“It's an honour and a privilege for our company to be associated with this great club and tournament.

“The course was in great shape, a big thank you to the green keeping team for that, we're looking forward to a long-standing partnership with the event and can't wait for next year and beyond.”

The second PGA Midlands Order of Merit, The Glazerite Trophy takes place at Wellingborough Golf Club on Thursday 3 July.