Matt attack - Ford in top gear at PGA Surrey Open Championship

28/09/2020

Matt Ford unleashed a birdie blitz to win the PGA Surrey Open Championship at Cuddington Golf Club and boost his chances of qualifying for the end of season PGA Play-Offs.

Ford, who represents CK Golf, posted a 10-under-par round of 61 to amass 46 points in the Stableford format event to finish two clear of the field and claim the £945 winner’s cheque.

Taking advantage of a course in fine condition, Ford served notice of the impending birdie bonanza with sub-par returns at the first three holes.

Seven more birdies followed – two before the turn and another quintet on the back nine in what was a bogey-free round.

All of which proved too much for the 108-strong field, not least Tilgate Golf Centre’s Lea Cooper.

He had to settle for the runner’s up berth with a score that would win most events - an eight-under-par round of 63 that was worth 44 points and featured nine birdies and a bogey.

Despite their excess of birdies, neither Ford nor Cooper could emulate Chris Rodgers, who had a hole-in-one at the par-three eighth, or Peter Appleyard who recorded an albatross at the par-five first.

Meanwhile, Surrey Downs Golf Club’s Craig Cowper, who has qualified for the final of the SkyCaddie PGA Pro-Captain Challenge and was a member of the victorious pair last year, won the Seniors competition with 39 points.

The competition for PGA Assistants was won by Sedlescombe Golf Club’s Michael Farrier-Twist with 42 points and Luan Skeates (pictured) of Cuddington Golf Club was victorious in the WPGA event with 38 points.

In the race to win the Order of Merit, Canterbury Golf Club's Richard Wallis maintained his hold on pole position as a result of finishing tied-fifth and earning 52 points to take his total to 282.

Ford lies second behind the five-time winner with 211 points and Jordan Godwin of Rochester and Cobham Golf Club occupies the third and final qualifying position for the PGA Play-Offs with 193 points.

Full scores are accessible here