James takes Middlesex title
16/05/2014
Kieran James (unattached) overcame torrential showers to land the Middlesex Professionals' Championship at Wyke Green.
James finished on a two-over-par total of 140 to secure the success by three shots from Lee Curling (Grims Dyke). A further two shots backs in a share for third were Greg Smith (Pinner Hill) and Tim Owers (Wyke Green).
The winner enjoyed an eventful first-round front nine in which he made just one par. He traded four birdies for four bogies in going out in level-par 35.
His inward nine was more solid and included seven pars as he signed for an opening 69 to take a one-shot lead into the afternoon’s golf.
That was when the storm unleashed with large hail stones firing down on the field who gamely battled through conditions.
Curling produced the best second-round score, shooting a 69. But James had the move covered with a hard-working display – especially through the closing seven holes when the tournament was there to be won and lost.
He played that stretch in one-under-par, including a birdie at the par-four 14th to run out a worthy champion.
By virtue of their finishing positions, James, Curling and Smith all booked their spot in the Middlesex team for the PGA in England (East) Inter County Championship.
