McGuirk masterclass

Local favourite and last minute entrant Francis McGuirk fired a stunning final round of 66 at Prince’s to win the first event of the 2014 Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit.

McGuirk’s six-under-par round gave him a total of 13-under-par 203 and one stroke victory over rival Van Phillips (Stoke Park) in the 2014 PGA Kent Open Championship presented by Vision4Sport.

The 40 year old mastered testing weather conditions on the Open Championship venue at Sandwich to post rounds of 67, 70 and 66.

Phillips, a new member of The PGA in England (South), carded a final round 67 to earn a cheque for £2,222. In third spot, Richard Edginton’s (Royal Wimbledon) score of 205 included the lowest round of the tournament, a second round seven-under-par 65.

Played over the Shore Dunes combination, McGuirk’s final round started ominously with a bogey but the damage was immediately repaired with a birdie at the next hole.

Another followed on the fourth to take him under par, and then an eagle on the seventh turbo-charged his round. A birdie at the ninth left McGuirk making the turn in great shape at 11-under for the tournament.

Despite dropping another shot at the short 11th, McGuirk made good with two more birdies at the 13th and 14th, and then a spectacular two at the 217 yard 17th put him out in front and at the top of the leader board.

McGuirk hit top form exactly when he needed to, as he explained: “I made the most of the opportunity to play which arose at the last minute when someone else dropped out.

“I hadn’t played much until quite recently at an event at Royal St. Georges, but it was terrific to play my home course under full tournament conditions. I certainly enjoyed some good form over the three rounds on a course that was in great shape.”

Despite being pipped to the post over the last few holes, Phillips was pleased with his result, as he commented: “Prince’s is a terrific venue for this event and to play well here was very satisfying. I’m certainly looking forward to the next Order of Merit event at Wildernesse in May, which is a very different kind of challenge to Prince’s.

“The field will be highly competitive again, but I’ll be working hard on my game to make sure I measure up.”