Local hero is new Surrey Masters champion
19/09/2013
The 2013 Senior PGA Professional champion Wraith Grant overcame stormy conditions to add the inaugural PGA in Surrey Masters title to his collection.
The Woodcote Park pro took home an impressive winner’s cheque for £888, after shooting a two-under-par 70 over his home course to finish the two-day event with a total of 142, nudging his club colleague Kieran Staunton into second place.
Although the course was at its best, the rain and strong winds blew a lot of performances off course. Despite that and a little jet lag, Grant shot the second best score of the morning, an even-par first round of 72 to match Robert Humphrey (Tyrrells Wood), but both were still six shots behind the 66 set by another local man and former Tour player Staunton.
In the afternoon the deteriorating weather made things even more difficult, and despite making three birdies Staunton also made six bogeys in sixteen holes. Reaching the 17th on three-over-par, he still had a slender lead but a double bogey on the 17th put paid to his championship chances, and a 77 left Staunton on one-under-par for the event.
Starting on the 10th, Grant was making better headway after reaching the turn in par. His birdie on the second was offset by a bogey on the third, but two more birdies on the sixth and seventh followed by two pars left Grant in the lead after carding 70.
Grant was delighted to win, he explained: “I’d flown back from playing in the Senior Russian Open the night before, so lack of sleep plus all the wind and rain were making things pretty difficult, but I managed to score well. I was pleased with an opening 72, but Kieran’s 66 in the morning was simply outstanding.
“The afternoon round had a bit of thunder and lightening, but I just kept grinding away. Making those two birdies with the finish in sight was very pleasing – and it’s always nice to beat the youngsters occasionally!”
Grant singled out The PGA in Surrey Chairman Guy Shoesmith for special praise in getting the event off the ground. He said: “Guy’s done a brilliant job. He did a huge amount of work to set up the golf and dinner event back in February and get some more well funded Surrey events into our schedules.”
Grant continued “Guy’s worked tirelessly to make this happen, and today’s prize fund was a very impressive amount for a county event. So very well done, Guy, and I know that all the Surrey PGA professionals feel the same way.”
