Kennedy clinches crown at East Anglian Open

Lloyd Kennedy (left) with Gordon Campbell, Regional Secretary.

Lloyd Kennedy (Woolston Manor) won his first Order of Merit title thanks to a superb display in the East Anglian Open.

Kennedy, 32, followed an opening 67 with a course record-equalling 64 to finish 11-under-par at The Rayleigh Club.

The PGA Trainee, who held a full card for the European Tour in 2012, triumphed by an emphatic four-shot margin from Ian Campbell (Cheshunt Park).

He was three-under at the turn but needed an amazing recovery on the par-5 11th hole to sustain his victory bid after his approach spun back into the water guarding the green.

Kennedy said: “It went in the hazard but was up in the rocks and I could sort of play it.

“I managed to get in, hack it out to about 40 foot to the right edge of the green and then hole it for par.

“That was a massive one to keep the momentum going because I could have made any sort of number there.”

Kennedy felt it was a lucky break but took full advantage as he birdied four of the next six holes to put distance between himself and the field.

He added: “The guys here shoot good numbers every week – there’s a lot here that have played European Tour, Challenge Tour.

“So you need to play good golf to compete, let alone win – I’m delighted. It has been a long time since I won anything so it feels pretty good.”

Runner-up Campbell was two shots clear of third-placed Chris Grant (Garon Park) after rounds of 67 and 68. He gave himself a host of chances on the back nine, converting three for birdie on his way to his best finish in an Order of Merit event since winning at Aldwickbury Park in May, 2016.

Campbell said: “I played as good, or better, than I have done all year. If anything, I’m bit frustrated that the season has now come to an end as I feel like I’m just starting to play well.”

Rob Coles (Maylands Golf & Country Club) was in a cluster of eight players tied for fourth, having shot a second-round 64 to share the course record with Kennedy.

Coles, 45, finished top of the East region’s Order of Merit for a second successive year and will now head to the national PGA Play-Offs at Walton Heath (October 30-November 1).

 He will be joined at the renowned Surrey course by Stuart Brown (Thorpe Wood) and Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor) who took second and third spot respectively in the overall rankings.

Coles said: “Any time you win an Order of Merit, it means that you’ve been quite consistent – and hopefully I have. I think I’ve had a first, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth so I’ve been pretty steady over the year.

“The next hard step is to play well in the Play-Offs which I know is going to be tough with so many good players. But it is exciting to get a chance.”