Melding targets a double
11/05/2018
Craig Melding is aiming to complete a double before this season starts in earnest after another impressive display in the penultimate round of the five-leg Titleist and Footjoy Sprint Series that opens the West summer programme.
The Neath assistant easily won the South Wales PGA Order of Merit during the winter and is now placed third in the Sprint following a tie for first place at Cumberwell Park.
He returned the only flawless round at the Wiltshire complex with birdies at the seventh, 15th and 18th for three-under-par 68 over the Blue and Red nines. He was joined by Jessica Bradley (Tiverton), Ryan Pope (Exeter) and Chris O'Neill (Cardiff).
Bradley made four birdies and a bogey, Pope four birdies and an eagle at the 11th and O’Neil carded six birdies, missing possible victory with a double bogey at the par five ninth.
Melding has climbed to third in the standings 19 points behind Adam Curtis (Bude) who retained his lead despite a disappointing level par 71 on a day when 10 players broke par. Despite a 72 James Ruth (China Fleet) remains second 18 points behind.
Neither Mark Pitcher (Stinchcombe Hill) nor Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court) made headway. But they still fill the next two places in the quest for Titleist equipment contracts.
Bradley, who is making a favourable impression this summer and has already won a WPGA medal, is challenging strongly. So are O’Neill and Ryan Pope (Exeter). There is much to play for in the final round at Yelverton on May 22.
