Lefties lift top prize at Puttenham
01/10/2015
Two of the top three Virgin Atlantic PGA Order of Merit contenders in the race to the PGA Play-offs, James Ablett (Lee-on-the-Solent) and Chris Gane (LeftHandedGolf@Silvermere), have shared the honours in the Puttenham Pro-Am after shooting two-under-par 69s.
Now with 13 wins under his belt this season and leading the PGA South Money List, Ablett commented: “My form’s been much more consistent this season, and some great advice earlier on from my coach has helped me find a swing I can rely on, letting me focus on making birdies, instead of anticipating the occasional errant shot which dogged my past seasons.”
He continued: “I’m really looking forward to the Farnham Finale OOM where all the contenders have a chance to shine, and I’m still in with a shout in the Keith MacDonald PGA South Match Play, so there’s still much work to be done, but I’m confident my game will stay in good shape.”
Scoring around Puttenham was tough, but while Ablett had a fault-free round with two early birdies at the second and the fourth and pars everywhere else, Gane’s round was somewhat more adventurous with five birdies, offset by some bogeys.
In a shotgun start in which he teed off at the 18th, Gane started with a bogey, bounced back immediately with a birdie at the first, and then went birdie, bogey at the third and fourth to remain at even.
He then managed another birdie at the eighth to go one-under, and one more at the 11th got him to two-under with six to go. A stumble at the 13th was repaired with a birdie at his last opportunity, the 17th, taking Gane into a tie with Ablett and a share of the winnings.
Hassocks man Russell Buxton shot 70 for third place, managing three birdies spoiled by two bogeys for his card of one-under-par.
