Ford maintains healthy lead in 2020 PGA Professional Championship

07/10/2020

Matthew Ford (CK Group) sank a sensational eagle putt on the 18^th hole to maintain his three-shot lead in the 2020 PGA Professional Championship at Trentham Golf Club.

Ford had dealt with the brutal wet weather conditions magnificently on day one and he picked up where he left off on what was a chilly morning with back-to-back birdies at the first and second.

A bogey at the seventh failed to deter Ford who bounced back immediately with another birdie at the eighth to put himself on eight-under-par heading into the back nine.

Further birdies at the 12^th and 13^th boosted his position at the top of the leaderboard, and despite a blip at the 14^th, Ford landed an enormous eagle at the final hole to put himself him pole position at the half-way stage of the championship.

“I started in freezing cold conditions and I held a nice putt for birdie on the first,” said Ford. “I hit a nice couple of shots down the second, a nice chip and a putt for birdie there so I got off to a good start.

“I didn’t take a couple of opportunities and then made a bogey at the seventh, so I went backwards a little bit, but I made a really good birdie at eight to bounce back.

“I slowed down again but then got going again at 12 and 13 where I made a couple of really nice birdies and then made a silly bogey on the par five (14). I was a little frustrated but then I held a nice one from just off the front for eagle on the last.

“There were a few silly mistakes in there again today but overall I played some good stuff. I’m happy with the two rounds I’ve posted but it’s only half-time. It’s just a case of wait and see now, keep playing good golf and see what happens.

“Thoughts (of winning) will come into your head at some point but I try not to pay any attention to them really, I’ll just focus on trying to make as many birdies as I can.”

While Ford was beginning his second round this morning, a large chunk of the 90-strong field were completing their first after play was suspended on the opening day due to heavy rainfall.

One such player was Jordan Godwin (Rochester & Cobham Golf Club), who put himself into contention thanks to two eagles at the sixth and 18^th. The 2019 PGA Cup player approached his second round full confidence and that showed, picking up back-to-back birdies at the second and third.

A bogey at the seventh and 10^th hampered Godwin’s progress, but further birdies at the 11^th and 17^th placed him second on eight-under-par.

Godwin (pictured above) commented: "I also missed a couple of good chances at 13, 14 and 15, but I made a nice 'Brucie Bonus' on the 17th - a 30ft putt - so it evens itself out really.

"I think winning this tournament would be my biggest achievement in terms of what I can do on my own. Qualifying for The PGA Cup was definitely up there and I had a fantastic experience, but winning this event would be great.

"It's a strong field, you've got all the best guys from the regions here, you're putting yourself against the very best players, so it would be lovely, but there's a long way to go."

Elsewhere, 2015 winner Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge Golf Club) is knocking on the door in third place on seven-under-par. Like Godwin, he finished his first round today, scoring 67 before shooting 70 in the afternoon, which included what could prove to be a vital up and down for a birdie on the 18th.

Matthew Cort (Beedles Lake Golf Club) and Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) sit five shots off the leader on six-under-par in fifth position.

Defending champion Alastair Forsyth (Mearns Castle Golf Academy) failed to make the cut after finishing rounds one and two on 12-over-par.

CLICK HERE to view tee times for the third round which begins tomorrow (October 8) at 8.30am.

CLICK HERE to view the PGA Professional Championship leaderboard after day one at Trentham Golf Club.