Hertfordshire duo blow competition away

Hertfordshire golfers Murray White and John Griffin refused to feel the pressure as they battled stormy conditions to win the PGA Super 60s Championship at Thorpeness.

The pair overcame sporadic heavy wind and rain, which caused dropped shots throughout the field, to hold onto a strong overnight lead and win the title by two shots.

For PGA Professional White, right, and his amateur Griffin, a successful 72-year-old entrepreneur who has appeared on hit Channel 4 TV Show Secret Millionaire, the win was testament to their fighting spirit.

The rain-soaked course, particularly battered during a two-hour delay in the first round, was taking no prisoners, and many of the leaders faded away over the front nine.

But White and Griffin, buoyed by a birdie at the second, battled their way to a final score of five-under-par 135 which was enough to secure first place and the lion’s share of a £10,000 prize fund.

Their closest challengers Parnell Reilly (Bradley Park) and David James, whose one-under par 69 featured an incredible seven birdies and six bogies, ultimately ended with a three-under-par 137.

Penfold Park pro White had been the talk of the clubhouse after carding an incredible six birdies over the back nine on day one.

And he admitted the pressure to repeat the feat loomed large as he approached the course on day two.

“There are two kinds of pressure when you take the lead in the tournament,” White explained.

“It’s a fear of making a complete fool of yourself by really messing things up, and also the fear of losing when it is clear you were in a winning position.

“Obviously for us it was more the latter today, but I think we approached things in the right way.

“John is a very calm person, and we didn’t end up getting too nervy.

“Conditions were much tougher today than they were yesterday, but I feel we dealt with that and that’s why we held out to win.”

Left-hander Griffin, who sold his business earlier this summer and has been using much of the extra time to play golf, said the practice paid off during an important event.

“We get together and play every Saturday morning,” he explained.

“It keeps us fit and healthy and it’s always good fun, and of course it meant that I had plenty of practice before I got here.  

“For the pros here it is a really important event, as it allows them to re-connect with people who they have grown up playing golf with.

“It has been great to be a part of that, and to win has made it extra special.

“This is a big tournament, and first place is always a good place to be – we are absolutely delighted to have won here.”

Also on offer at Thorpeness was the Superb 70s, awarded to the highest placed pairing over 70 years of age.

Jack Timms and David Snell took the title after finishing tied 22^nd overall with a seven-over-par 147.