Godwin’s the new PGA South Match Play champion

In a thrilling final on the New course at Walton Heath’s New course, Barnehurst’s Jordan Godwin beat Robert Rock Academy’s James Ford by a score of 2&1 to claim the 2019 Keith MacDonald PGA South Match Play title.

In a tweet later on, Goodwin (@jmgodwin) said: ‘Chuffed to have won the @PGA South Match Play at Walton Heath today. Also guarantees a top 3 OOM finish for me qualifying for the PGA Play Offs in Turkey. The Big 1 is still to come! USA on Sunday for the @PGACup LETS GO!’

Playing in near perfect conditions and out in three-under-par, Godwin was a comfortable two up at the turn but that turned into a very uncomfortable two down on the 14th tee after Ford’s birdie barrage through the 11th, 12th and 13th.

Ford’s magnificent charge ended abruptly with a bogey at the 14th to lose the hole to a par, and Godwin’s birdie on the 15th then got this terrific contest back to all square with three holes left.

Godwin birdied the 607 yard par five 16th to go one up, and then managed to close out the match on the 17th  and be crowned the new Keith MacDonald PGA South Match Play champion.

Along with the trophy, Godwin not only takes home the winner’s cheque for £1,515 but he also bags a vital 100 points in the race for the 2019 Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit.

This puts him firmly in the top 3 and a now guaranteed place at the PGA Play Offs in Turkey in November.